Help S.C.R.A.P Fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire
Residents are being urged to take a few simple checks before paying someone to take away their rubbish.
The advice is simple - following the S.C.R.A.P code can help residents protect themselves from rogue waste collectors who may dump their waste illegally. This helps residents avoid future potential fines and support keeping Buckinghamshire's streets, parks and countryside free from fly-tipping.
The S.C.R.A.P code gives confidence that their waste is being disposed of legally and responsibly:
S - Suspect all waste carriers; do not allow waste to be collected until a carrier has proven they are legitimate. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
C - Check that the waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.
R - Refuse any unexpected or time-sensitive offers to remove rubbish. If something doesn't feel right or there are concerns that waste may be disposed of illegally, report it to the Environment Agency.
A - Ask where your waste is going. A legitimate carrier should be able to explain how it will be disposed of and provide evidence if asked.
P - Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt (including a description of the waste being removed) and the waste carriers' contact details.
Taking these few simple steps before handing over rubbish, whether that be old furniture, general and garden waste or DIY materials, can help residents avoid potential fines, ensure their waste is disposed of legally and help keep Buckinghamshire clean.
Ade Osibogun, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste said:
“No one wants to discover that rubbish they’ve paid to have removed has been dumped illegally. By taking a few simple checks before handing over waste, residents can protect themselves from potential fines, help prevent fly-tipping and keep Buckinghamshire clean.
“If waste is given to an unregistered carrier, it could be dumped elsewhere, harming the environment and creating costs for local communities. By following the S.C.R.A.P. code, residents can make informed choices about who takes their waste and help stop fly-tipping before it happens.
“Together, by making the right checks before handing over our waste, we can help prevent fly-tipping and keep Buckinghamshire clean, safe and attractive, protecting the neighbourhoods, parks and countryside that matter most to our communities.”
Fly-tipping harms our neighbourhoods, damages the environment and creates clean-up costs that ultimately fall on local communities. By each doing our bit, together we can S.C.R.A.P. fly-tipping. For more information visit: How we can S.C.R.A.P. fly-tipping in Bucks | Buckinghamshire Recycles