South Derbyshire woman hit in pocket over dumped rubbish
A Boulton Moor woman was stung with a fixed penalty notice of £400 after paying a man in a van £10 to dump her rubbish.
South Derbyshire District Council enforcement officers were able to trace items including a dirty mattress, carpet and food waste left on a roadside verge near to Swarkestone.
By allowing the items to de dumped, she had failed the householder’s duty of care, which places a legal duty on anyone disposing of household rubbish to take all reasonable measures to ensure it is disposed of properly.
Councillor Andy MacPherson, chairman of South Derbyshire District Council’s environment and development services committee, said: “This person had clearly made no effort whatsoever to check that the man she gave the waste to was a properly registered waste carrier. She wanted to get rid of the waste at minimal cost and with no hassle.”
“Anyone who pays for waste to be taken from their property for next to nothing, by someone they know nothing about is breaking this law. If the waste ends up being dumped illegally, our officers will catch up with them.”
Householders who want to dispose of large quantities of waste should follow this advice:
- Take bulky waste to the Derbyshire County Council-run Bretby Household Waste Recycling Centre, Main Street, Newhall
- Arrange for a bulky waste collection from South Derbyshire District Council – the cost is £30 for six items or £25 for one fridge/freezer. To book, call 01283 595795
- Never hand waste over to someone who knocks on your door and offers to remove it for cash in hand
- Be cautious about people advertising waste disposal services on social media
- If paying for someone to dispose of household waste, always ask to see their waste carriers licence and note down the registration number of their vehicle.
Anyone suspecting somebody is not a legal waste carrier, please contact the Council in confidence by calling 01283 595795 or email: environmental.health@southderbyshire.gov.uk.
14 February 2020