Trading Standards investigate doorstep crime and rogue trading. Rogue traders often don’t have the necessary permissions to allow them to transport waste produced from their work. This means they are also more likely to illegally fly-tip building and garden waste somewhere, leading to a costly clean-up for other people, or for other Council services.

In the 12 months from April there were over 1700 reports of illegal fly-tips in Dorset, of which almost 800 were household related.

If you produce waste, at home or from a business, you have a legal responsibility to ensure it is disposed of legally and safely. This means making sure anyone who is handling your waste is licensed to do so. It is vital that you take steps to check that your rubbish will be disposed of correctly and that you are confident you know where it will end up.

Did you know that as a householder you can be liable if your waste is later fly-tipped? Dorset Council Environmental Enforcement Team investigate fly-tipping to identify the waste carrier and the place the waste originated from.

The Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005 are not there to scare people, but to serve as a tool in the constant battle to eliminate fly-tipping and environmental crime. Put simply, if people don’t pay illegal operators to take their waste, the illegal operator won’t be able to fly-tip it.

Steps you can take to protect yourself include asking for the business’ waste carrier licence number, don’t pay cash and ask for a receipt or Waste Transfer Note. If they can’t provide it, or aren’t registered, then look for someone else. You can check if someone is registered first using the Environment Agency’s public register https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or, by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

To be sure a trader works in a legal, honest and fair way, then think about using a Buy With Confidence Trading Standards approved trader. Search for a Buy With Confidence trader near you at buywithconfidence.gov.uk or by phoning the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Jonathan Harris
Principal Trading Standards Officer
Place Services
Dorset Council
01305 224827
dorsetcouncil.gov.uk