Is Your Waste Being Fly-tipped?

Dorset Council’s Environmental Enforcement team has recently been made aware of rogue ‘waste collectors’ driving around estates, taking items left for collection from resident’s gardens, and then dumping anything without any value in the countryside.

Under UK law, your rubbish remains your legal responsibility until it is disposed of legally. If waste from your property (home or business) is removed by unauthorised persons and fly-tipped, you can face unlimited fines or legal action, even if you paid someone else to take it away.

To protect residents from being victims of crime, Dorset Council would like to reiterate the following.

To ensure compliance with Dorset Council and Environment Agency regulations, we recommend referring to the national S.C.R.A.P.code.

• Suspect: assume all waste carriers are unlicensed until you see proof. Be wary of unexpected "man in a van" offers on social media.
• Check: verify the person's Waste Carrier's Licence on the Environment Agency Public Registers USING THIS LINK.
• Refuse: do not use anyone who refuses to provide their licence details, vehicle registration, or an explanation of where the waste is going.
• Ask: ask where the rubbish will be dumped (e.g., licensed transfer station or recycling centre).
• Paperwork: always get a receipt, invoice, or Waste Transfer Note. Business waste producers are legally required to keep these notes for at least 2 years.

Reporting a Breach: if you suspect someone is an unauthorised carrier or has illegally taken and dumped your waste, you can report them directly to the authorities:

• Report a rogue trader: submit an anonymous tip-off regarding unlicensed waste carriers on Tip-Off - Unlicensed waste carriers - Dorset Council
• Report a fly-tip: use the Dorset Council Fly-Tipping Form or call 01305 221040.

If you suspect your waste has been collected by a rogue trader, do you have any paperwork, vehicle registration or contact details for the person who took it? All these can help Dorset Council catch the offenders.