We all know that fly tipping is illegal and anti-social – but did you know what the possible penalties for fly-tipping are? Or that they apply to your waste even if it is dumped by someone else who you contracted to remove it?
Penalties For Fly-Tipping
Fly-tipping means the illegal deposit of waste on land – whether public or privately owned. Fly-tipping is different from littering in that the waste is removed from the premises where it was produced with the deliberate intention of disposing of it unlawfully. This can be because legitimate outlets are not available. The offence of fly-tipping, as well as the offences of ‘knowingly causing’ or ‘knowingly permitting’ it, are laid out in Section 33(1)(a) of 1990’s Environmental Protection Act. Section 33 can be enforced by both English local authorities and the Environment Agency.
The penalties for fly-tipping are:
- Summary conviction: imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or a fine, or both;
- On conviction on Indictment: imprisonment for a term up to five years, or a fine or both.
- Directors, officers and senior employees of a business can be imprisoned, and licences may be revoked if the person who has been convicted is no longer regarded as a ‘fit and proper person’.
- A registered keeper of a vehicle can be convicted if their vehicle is used for fly-tipping.
Everyone who produces waste has a responsibility (the “waste duty of care”) under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They must ensure that waste is disposed of lawfully. A person can commit an offence under section 34 if their waste is found to have been dumped, even if it was dumped by someone else. The duty applies to everyone – businesses and householders.
Martlands Skip Hire
Don’t risk a fine: use a fully licensed waste carrier. To discover more about hiring a skip, call Martlands Skip Hire on a regional number below:-
Ormskirk Skip Hire 01704 779345
Wigan Skip Hire 01942 417456
Bamber Bridge Skip Hire 01772 364 399
Chorley Skip Hire 01257 752399
Leyland Skip Hire 01772 364399
Maghull Skip Hire 0151 909 6399
