Join in the fight against illicit waste

During our day to day lives, we all produce waste. That`s why it is important to dispose of this waste correctly and in a sustainable and beneficial way.

The Council operates a three stream waste and recycling collection service which comprises of:

• A blue bin for recyclable materials
• A brown bin for organic compostable materials
• A green bin for non-recyclable waste

Find out more about your local waste and recycling service here.

Find out when your bins are emptied by downloading a copy of your collection calendar.

Make sure you put the right items in the right bin by using our `which item goes in which bin` tool.

Disposing of large and bulky waste

Household waste recycling centres are used for any items of waste from your own home which may be too large or bulky to be taken by your normal waste collection service.

Charges have been introduced for the disposal of certain non-household waste items. Further information can be found on Staffordshire County Council`s Disposal Charges page.  

Find out where your nearest household waste recycling centres are by clicking here

Duty of Care

If you decide to engage the services of a private waste contractor to remove and dispose of your waste, you must make sure that the person or company is a registered waste carriers - and preferably check the registration number on the Environment Agency’s website. Also, make sure the company provides you with a receipt or transfer note for the waste. This must describe the waste and the quantities and must be retained for a period of 3 years.

IMPORTANT 

When using services obtained from social media sites such as Facebook, or from adverts in newspapers where only a mobile telepone number is provided, make sure you note the registration number of the vehicle(and if possible its make and model) that is used to transport the waste being removed from your property. This will assist the investigating officers if the contractor later turns out to be a rogue trader who fly tips your waste.

REMEMBER: As the producer of the waste it is your responsibility to make sure it is properly disposed of – or is passed to a waste disposal contractor who is registered with the Environment Agency.

FAILURE TO DO SO IS AN OFFENCE AND YOU MAY BE PROSECUTED. On conviction the court may impose an unlimited fine.

As a business owner, you are reminded that you are liable for the correct disposal of your waste and therefore you need to use reputable suppliers with the correct paperwork to avoid prosecution.

These offences are punishable in a Magistrates` Court by an unlimited fine or imprisonment and in Crown Court by an unlimited fine or 5 years imprisonment.

For more information about correctly disposing of waste visit the Right Waste, Right Place website.

As a landowner, you are also being asked to be vigilant and to be more cautious about leasing land/buildings to individuals who offer large sums of money. There have been a large number of cases where this has happened only for the land/building to be filled with illegal waste which the landlord is then responsible for clearing at their own expense. This can sometimes run into millions of pounds. 

Duty of Care

If you decide to engage the services of a private waste contractor to remove and dispose of your waste, you must make sure that the person or company is a registered waste carrier - and preferably check the registration number on the Environment Agency’s website. Also, make sure the company provides you with a waste consignment or transfer note for the waste. This must describe the waste and the quantities and must be retained for a period of 3 years.

IMPORTANT

Use only legitimate waste carriers/broker who have a valid registration with the Environment Agency.

Preferably avoid using services obtained from social media sites such as Facebook, or from adverts in newspapers where only a mobile telephone number is provided. If you do choose to use them, note the registration number of the vehicle(and if possible its make and model) that is used to transport the waste being removed from your business. This will assist the investigating officers if the contractor later turns out to be a rogue trader who fly tips your waste.

REMEMBER: As the producer of the waste it is your responsibility to make sure it is properly disposed of – or is passed to a waste disposal contractor who is registered with the Environment Agency.

If you fail to make reasonable checks on the waste contractors you are using, you may be served a Fixed Penalty Notice or if the matter goes to court an unlimited fine or prison sentence if you are convicted.

If you see someone illegally disposing of waste, any suspicious vehicles that may be going to and from sites where dumpirng has already occurred or sites such as rural land or vacant buildings, that large vehicles wouldn`t be expected to travel to at unusual hours, take note of the following and contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• Date and time of incident that occurred
• Model, make, registration number and colour of vehicle(s) used by the offender(s)
• Description of the offender(s)
• Description of waste, etc and quantity if possible.

Do not approach or talk to the offender(s) and do not touch or move the illicit waste materials

The Council and partner agencies may wish to prosecute the offender(s) responsible and will be keen to use your evidence in court.

Alternatively, you can report an area where fly tipping has taken place by using our online `Report It!` form and we will investigate the matter further.

The Council is continuing to offer a £100 reward to anyone who provides evidence that leads to the successful conviction of any person, business or other organisation in fly tipping waste in the District.