Two fly-tipping incidents in Stafford Borough have resulted in fines exceeding £1,000, with the council warning that illegal waste disposal will not be tolerated.
In the latest case, household clearance waste including chairs, plant pots, and cardboard was dumped in a layby near Gnosall on the A518. The owner, traced to an address in Nottingham, admitted he had paid £250 to a removal company found on Gumtree to dispose of the items. He was issued a £600 fixed penalty notice by Stafford Borough Council for allowing his waste to be disposed of illegally. The man refused to provide details of the company he had used.
In a separate incident in June, a delivery driver from Wimbourne in Dorset dumped a large black bag of domestic waste at industrial premises in Eccleshall. He received a £500 fixed penalty notice.
Council warning on illegal waste removal
Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at Stafford Borough Council, said: "Fly-tipping, littering, and other environmental crimes, are a blight on our communities. They can cause environmental damage, they attract anti-social behaviour, make areas look untidy, and impact on the quality of life for our residents."
He urged residents to check that anyone offering to remove waste is registered to do so. "It may seem like a cheap alternative paying someone to get rid of your rubbish – but if they are not a registered waste carrier then you leave yourself open to a fine or even prosecution," Councillor Fordham added.
Residents with information on fly-tipping can report it via the council's website at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/grimewatch. More information on finding registered waste collectors is available at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/alternative-waste-collectors.
