Did you see Cleveland Bridge fly-tippers?

North East Lincolnshire Council is appealing for witnesses after about half a tonne of waste was illegally dumped in Grimsby.

Someone fly-tipped a mattress, bedding, pieces of carpet and underlay, and about 20 bin bags full of rubbish near Cleveland Bridge just off Gilbey Road.

Street cleansing staff from the Council cleared up the mess on Thursday morning, 28 October.

It is an unnecessary expense for the Council to clear the site and dispose of the rubbish.

If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area or recognise the waste that was dumped, please report it in confidence at www.nelincs.gov.uk/flytipping or call 01472 326300.

Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said:

“We need your help to track down the people responsible for illegally dumping this rubbish.

“Fly-tipping makes the area look a mess and harms wildlife.

“If you know who did this, please get in touch.

“People can also help by checking the credentials of anyone they pay to take away their waste.” 

He added:

“Fly-tipping is a crime and the council investigates all incidents. Anyone who is caught risks a £400 fixed penalty notice.

“Where we find enough evidence, we will take offenders to court where the penalties can be much harsher.

“In the last 18 months, enforcement officers issued 86 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping and other waste-related offences, including three for failing to give waste to an authorised carrier. More cases are due to be heard in court.

“Fly-tipping is a national problem. We all have a legal obligation, or duty of care, to make sure our waste is disposed of correctly.

“People who don’t check the credentials of waste carriers, can also be prosecuted if their waste is found fly-tipped. They could land themselves with a fine of £300 and possibly more if they are a business.”

Report fly-tipping now at www.nelincs.gov.uk/flytipping.

Duty of care

If you are paying someone to take your waste, you must check they are licensed to take it.

Check the register by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or visit https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers.

Always ask for identification and a receipt. You can be fined £300 if your waste is dumped unlawfully.

The Duty of Care applies to individuals and all commercial entities. This includes private sector businesses such as shops, offices, factories, and tradespersons (e.g. electricians, builders, glaziers and plumbers) and public sector services such as schools, hospitals and prisons, as well as charities and voluntary and community groups. It also includes permitted operations or exempt facilities that produce waste as part of their activities.

Enforcement success

Fixed Penalty Notices given since 1 April 2021 for fly-tipping and waste related offences

• 3 x Failing to give Waste to an Authorised Waste Carrier
• 4 x Failing to Produce Waste Transfer Notes
• 14 x Fly-tipping

Successful court prosecutions since 1 April 2021:

• Washing machine fly-tipped at Garibaldi Street car park on 18 May 2019. In court 30 April 2021. Fine £325, costs £358 and VSC £32
• Car used in two fly-tips committed on 18 Jan 2020 at Garibaldi Street car park bring to site. In court 12 July 2021. Fine £100 for each offence, costs £202 and VSC £32
• Van used in fly-tipping offence committed 29 March 2020 at Waltham Road recycling banks. In court 2 July 2021. Fine £150, costs £404.33, VSC £32
• Glass table top and other items fly-tipped at Garibaldi Street car park on 18 May 2019. In court 2 July 2021. Fine £215, costs £250, VSC £30
• Household waste fly-tipped on 26 and 27 December 2019 at Garibaldi Street car park. In court 8 July 2021 (arrested on a warrant). Fine £200 for each offence, costs £424, VSC £32
• Waste in garden Hainton Avenue. In court 23 July 2021. The court fined the two owners £770 each, imposed a victim surcharge of £77, and ordered them to pay costs of £100, making a total of £947 each.
• Household waste fly-tipped on 18 Jan 2020 at Garibaldi Street car park. In court 23 July 2021. Fine £70.
• Household waste fly-tipped on 26 December 2018 and 26 December 2019 at Garibaldi Street car park. In court 23 July 2021. Fine £515. No order was made for costs.

SCRAP campaign

North East Lincolnshire Council is part of the SCRAP campaign, a nationwide crackdown against fly-tipping.

The campaign reminds people to check their waste is being taken away for disposal by a licensed carrier – either by asking to see a Waste Carriers Licence or by looking up the company on the Environment Agency website.

SCRAP stands for:

Suspect ALL waste carriers

Check with the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 that the provider taking your waste away is licensed

Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away

Ask what will happen to your waste

Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt