As part of the West Sussex Waste Partnership, Horsham District Council has partnered with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sussex Police, The Environment Agency and others, to highlight and reduce the problem of fly-tipping, promoting the ‘SCRAP fly-tipping’ campaign.
The Council is also helping local residents and businesses to avoid unknowingly contributing to fly-tipping within the Horsham District.
If your waste is found dumped, even if someone else has dumped it, it’s you who could be held responsible and fined.
Every business in the UK that produces waste has a legal duty of care to manage it properly until it is recycled or disposed of. This means that businesses and residents must always use a registered waste carrier to carry their waste as well as keeping the correct paperwork for at least two years.
If you have a business that transports, buys, or sells waste of any kind, you must have a valid waste carriers license. These can be obtained online through the GOV.UK website. Businesses that do not comply face the risk of an unlimited fine.
Protect the environment and yourself by following the SCRAP code:
- Suspect all waste carriers - don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration and note their vehicle's registration plate
- Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website
- Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away
- Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this
- Paperwork must be obtained - a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
Cllr Jay Mercer, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste commented:
I am really pleased that we are working in close collaboration with so many key partners to combat fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping is not just unsightly and illegal, it damages the environment, poses a threat to humans and wildlife and its clearance comes at a high cost to taxpayers and private landowners.
It also undermines legitimate waste businesses. Working with this partnership enables us to make real progress in discouraging fly-tipping and protecting residents from rogue traders.
We all need to remember it’s our duty of care to make sure our waste carrier is compliant.
We have a great range of waste collection services locally. As well as using recycling centres Horsham District residents can recycle unwanted textiles and broken small electricals with our free collection service, book a large item or upholstered furniture collection, or order a Bulky Bag for DIY, garden or commercial waste on our website.