Hull City Council has prosecuted a resident for ‘failing to ensure her waste was lawfully disposed at a licensed facility’.
Ann Sillitoe, 50, pleaded guilty to failing to comply to the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which makes it an offence for an occupier of any domestic property to fail to take reasonable measures to secure the transfer of the household waste to a registered waste carrier.
Hull Magistrates’ Court heard how Sillitoe had received a £200 quote from a registered waste carrier to remove waste from her property but had later paid three men £30 to do the job for her without checking their identification, or licence to remove waste.
The waste was subsequently flytipped within vegetation between Holwell Road and Northcott Primary School.
The case was brought to the Neighbourhood Nuisance Team's attention following a report made to Humberside Police from a member of the public who had witnessed the waste being removed from the property.
Sillitoe was given a 12-month conditional discharge and instructed to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the hearing, Councillor John Hewitt, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood and Communities, said: "Residents need to ensure that anyone who offers to remove waste can produce a copy of their registered waste carriers licence, issued by Environment Agency.
"If any person offers to remove waste and can't produce their certificate, I would urge residents to not to use their services. If you do there is a chance, as in this case, that waste could be dumped and residents could be prosecuted."
Mark Cornall, Neighbourhood Nuisance Team Leader, added: “Everyone plays a crucial role in tackling flytipping by ensuring that rubbish is disposed of responsibly and in accordance with the law.
"If you see anyone flytipping waste, please help us to make them pay both for the crime they have committed and the clean-up costs concerned."
The council recommends that residents dispose and recycle household waste at the city’s household waste and recycling centres.
Read more about the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
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