Wiltshire Council has issued a huge fine to a Melksham resident after waste they paid to have collected was found dumped in a hedge.
The household paid £10 to a passing tipper van after placing non-recyclable items in the wrong bin. The rubbish was later discovered abandoned less than half a mile away.
When the resident was unable to provide the collector’s licence number, vehicle registration, or a receipt, they were held responsible under duty of care laws and issued a fixed penalty notice of £600.
The fine comes as part of the council’s Stop at Source campaign, which takes a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping across Wiltshire. The campaign makes clear that householders remain accountable if they hand waste to unlicensed carriers.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways at Wiltshire Council, stated that residents could use one of the council’s recycling centres instead of fly-tipping and that if they use a waste collection service, they should ensure it is licensed.
“People need to know that they can still be held accountable if their waste is fly-tipped by someone else,” he said. “Householders have a duty of care to ensure their waste is handled by licensed collectors.”
“If you’re worried about the risk of fly-tipping, protect yourself by checking the waste carrier’s licence, taking the vehicle’s details, and getting a receipt. These simple steps help stop the issue at source.
“We have a clear message on waste disposal: we will prosecute perpetrators of fly-tipping. This is an environmental crime that must be tackled to protect our countryside.”
Wiltshire Council is urging residents to remain vigilant and to report all instances of fly-tipping online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping
