Flytipping and Waste Carriers
Fly-tippers are spoiling beautiful countryside across Kent and
further afield. It costs local authorities £44 million to clean up
every year and the Government has issued new powers to help prevent
it.
If you see someone fly-tipping, do not confront them, but note
the description and registration of any vehicle involved, what the
person looks like and the time and place. Please pass this
information to your local Reactive Pollution Team at Maidstone
Council, or report it online.
If the rubbish appears to be hazardous (chemical drums, for
example) or there is a vast quantity of it (more than a lorry load)
contact the Environment Agency's 24-hour hotline on 0800
807060.
Builders, plumbers, gardeners and other people who take
materials from your home or business withiout holding a valid
licence already face prison or large fines. But householders who
use unregistered waste carriers, knowingly or otherwise, can now be
prosecuted and fined up to £5,000. Some will carry a copy of their
waste carrier licence with them, but you should make sure it is
genuine by calling the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
If the carrier cannot tell you their licence number, the Agency
can check using the name of the company or individual. Some
operators may tell you the job is too small to require a licence or
claim they are exempt from the legislation. But exemptions also
need to be registered and you should always check, to protect
yourself from prosecution.