Warning sounded over lure of spring clean fly-tipping

Spring cleaning’s well under way and gardens are starting to grow – but that’s no excuse for inconsiderate and illegal dumping. (c) Middlesbrough Council (c) Middlesbrough Council (c) Middlesbrough Council Pics 1 – 3: Fly-tipping incidents like these blight neighbourhoods and cost thousands to clean up That’s the message from Middlesbrough Council chiefs as they sound a warning over the penalties faced by those caught fly-tipping. While some responsibly hire skips and workmen to help with garden, garage and shed makeovers, others take a more antisocial approach, expecting others to pick up the tab. Fly-tipping is costly to clear up, blights neighbourhoods and can pose a risk to public health. Middlesbrough Council publishes clear guidance around legal and responsible waste disposal on its website and members of the public are encouraged to ensure anyone carrying out such work on their behalf is appropriately licensed. Where skips are used, there is a requirement on both the person ordering the skip and the hire company to ensure that the correct licences are in place and that the customer is provided with a Waste Transfer Note on completion. Those caught fly-tipping can face a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £1,000, while prosecution can result in a hefty court fine and associated costs, as well as a criminal record. Over the last 12 months, Middlesbrough Council has received more than 5,700 reports of fly-tipping, with nearly 90 FPNs issued in the same period and ten prosecutions successfully taken to court. Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Neighbourhoods, said: “This is a great time of year for a clear-out – the clocks have gone forward, the sun is shining and our gardens are bursting into life. “But that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to dump unwanted waste in public areas and expect others to pick it up. “The rules around illegal dumping couldn’t be clearer, and we’re equally clear that we will enforce them wherever we can – and the courts are on our side. “This sort of selfish, inconsiderate behaviour can blight whole communities, and those responsible can rightly expect to end up with a hefty fine and even a criminal record.” · Full details of how to dispose of household waste legally can be found on the Middlesbrough Council website: Household waste (rubbish, recycling, green waste) | Middlesbrough Council Residents can also book online to dispose of large items at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre at Haverton Hill. There is no charge for residents but fees apply for businesses. Anyone with information on fly-tipping can send details to evidence@middlesbrough.gov.uk or call the Contact Centre on 01642 726001. Fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and many other offences can also be reported online at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/report