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Householders Responsibilities for Waste Produced


Householders must take responsibility for their waste - or risk fines!

As of Monday 21 November 2005 all householders in England have a responsibility, under the new ‘Duty of Care’ waste regulations, to ensure that their rubbish is taken away by authorised carriers only.

Householders not taking reasonable measures to do this could face fines of up to £5,000.

These changes (part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act) aim to reduce the thousands of tonnes of household waste being fly-tipped each year. In 2004/05, there were 500,000 fly-tips of household rubbish; much of which was dumped by operators posing as legitimate waste carriers. Registered waste carriers, other than us, can now be found online thanks to a new ‘waste carrier register’, set up by the Environment Agency.

Fly-tippers rely on people not asking questions, and not checking for registration – but now all householders have a responsibility to ask those questions, and check for that registration.

Rogue waste carriers can make huge sums of money by charging to take household rubbish away illegally, before dumping it over the nearest hedge. Now, if that rubbish is traced back to the household it came from, the householder could now be fined.

All household waste can still be disposed of at local Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) free of charge. For residents unable to take bulky waste to the HWRS themselves, we offer a collection service at a very reasonable rate.

However, for those using waste carriers other than us to remove household, garden or construction waste, the Environment Agency suggests the following check:
  1. Consider whether the contractor falls into one of the following categories: All building and allied trades; landscape gardeners, tree fellers and surgeons; house clearers; retail establishments; scrap metal dealers. These are occupations that will normally need a waste carrier registration.

  2. Ask the contractor whether they are a registered waste carrier and ask for their waste carrier number. If they are not registered, refuse the service, and advise them that they need to speak with the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.

  3. If they claim to be registered, telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and request an instant Waste Carrier Validation Check or check online at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister.


Further information and advice

If you require further information or wish to report an incident, please contact Environmental Services on:

Telephone: 01638 719284
Email: es@forest-heath.gov.uk


For further information on is available on Waste Responsibilities the following website(s):


 

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