Natural Resources Wales has released a message to the local public urging people to be on their guard against illegal waste carriers.
The statement was released following the sentencing of a Kinmel Bay waste operator for illegally transporting and fly-tipping household waste in Llysfaen, Conwy last year.
Daniel McNeill, who advertised waste removal services on Facebook and collected household waste across North Waste, pleaded guilty to the charges at Llandudno Magistrates Court.
He received a 20-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, a 14-week curfew and has been ordered to contribute £1,500 towards prosecution costs.
The case was jointly investigated by officers from Natural Resources Wales and Conwy County Borough Council.
Euros Jones, Natural Resources Wales Operations Manager, said: “This case demonstrates clearly that anyone trying to take shortcuts will be pursued through the courts and we will work with our partners to investigate and enforce against illegal waste activities.”
According to the UK Government’s latest statistics, there has been a 2 per cent annual rise in reported fly-tipping incidents, with almost one million reports across England between April 2019 and March 2020.
Latest figures from the Welsh Government saw a 4.4 per cent decrease in fly-tipping across Wales, the lowest rate since 2014. Earlier this year, the Welsh Government announced its intentions to make Wales a nation free from fly-tipping and held a consultation that ended last month.
As part of its statement, Natural Resources Wales released advice to the public on how to help catch illegal waste carriers.
It advises that on average, a legitimate waste carrier charges around £52 to remove a car boot size bundle of waste, while a van load would cost £166 and an average skip load around £230.
Natural Resources Wales has also suggested that if a waste carrier is charging less, to ask to see their waste carrier’s licence or check the NRW public register.
Anybody who suspects illegal waste activity is urged to report it to Natural Resources Wales’ incident hotline.
“If an offer seems too good to be true then be aware, it is highly likely that the carrier is operating illegally and dumping waste where it will harm the local community and the environment,” Jones added.
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