More information on fly-tipping

The law

Fly tipping is a criminal offence, and you can be fined up to £50,000 and/or imprisoned for up to twelve months and you could have a vehicle involved in fly-tipping seized.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that everyone must, by law, take reasonable steps to ensure that controlled waste is disposed of properly, either by themselves or by a Licenced Waste Carrier.

 

Disposing of waste

Waste needs to be disposed of in a safe and controlled manner at licensed sites. It must also be suitably packed so that it does not fall out or blow away in transit and cannot be spread about by animals or vandals.

If your waste is not able to be disposed of via the Councils Household Refuse & Recycling Service black sack, then you can make an appointment for the Recycling Centre on Canvey Island.

 

Third party waste disposal

If someone offers to take your waste away, make sure that the organisation is either a local authority or a licensed waste removal company by asking them to produce their Waste Carriers Licence.

You are responsible for making sure that your waste is disposed of properly and must ask to see proof of this licence.

Secondly the Licensed Waste Carrier must give you a written description of the waste they are taking away for you. This should show the quantity and type of materials in the waste. A simple description of what is in the waste or the activity which produced it will normally be sufficient, it should also show the registration of the vehicle they are using to carry the waste, and the waste disposal site they are taking the waste to.

These steps are not necessary for the disposal of domestic refuse collected by the Council.

 

Hazardous waste

If you produce waste, which may be hazardous for example, chemicals, drugs or animal by-products, you must ensure that the person removing the waste has the correct Licence to remove, carry and dispose of the waste.