Illegal rubbish dumping in the UK, often referred to as fly-tipping is a serious crime that is punishable by jail or hefty fines. According to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA), there are clear rules and guidelines on how all rubbish ought to be disposed. Section 3 of this Act makes it a crime for anyone or organization to knowingly deposit rubbish in a non-designated area. Additionally, keeping any hazardous waste within your premises that may harm the environment and those around it is also punishable. It doesn’t matter whether it is in a commercial premise, or a residential area; the law applies equally and fully. But waste clearance companies tend to be the greatest casualties to these laws, because they are the ones most likely to dispose of waste collected from different parts, wrongly.
- If caught dumping rubbish illegally and taken to a Magistrates Court, you risk being jailed for 12 months, or a hefty cash fine. This may seem harsh for merely dropping rubbish where it oughtn’t to, right? But come to think of the millions of pounds that local authorities spend on clearing such rubbish across London, you may understand the reason behind.
- Local councils within London have the powers to penalize any home or commercial building owner caught dumping rubbish or fly tipping. Repeat offenders risk being jailed or incurring even heftier fines. This is why it is always advisable to have a reputable and professional rubbish removal company help in clearing and disposing of all your waste. They know the rules and regulations of the game, plus they know the designated dumping areas.
- Early disposal of waste in London is also punishable by fines of up to £100. This is enshrined in the Clean Neighborhoods and Environment Act 2005; it empowers local authorities to penalize home owners who don’t put out waste and rubbish at the agreed time for collection. In fact, don’t be surprised when you get accused of fly-tipping when you put out the rubbish at the improper time. If in doubt, you can always contact the authorities on the exact time you’re supposed to put out the waste for collection.
- But ever since the proliferation of private waste clearance companies, issues of illegal dumping are reducing greatly. With such companies, you have no reason to illegally dump your rubbish in the road or anywhere else for that matter. You just agree on the rates, and specific times when the company will come and clear the waste. It doesn’t make any sense at all to incur huge fines for illegal dumping of rubbish, while you could have spent a fraction of that amount to hire a professional waste clearance company to get the job done!
- Today, one doesn’t have to wait for the council to come and nab law breakers dumping rubbish illegally. Anyone can report persons doing so to the Environment Agency, or Crime Busters operating in the local communities. We all the responsibility to help keep the environment clean and healthy at all times.