Burden of fly tipping costs Leicester Council £1.7 million

Leicester City Council has revealed that more than £1.7 million was spent on clearing illegal waste between 2010 and 2015, with over 50,000 reports of fly tipping rubbish in that same period.

The council commented to the Leicester Mercury that fly-tipping is not only “a huge drain on the council finances, it is also a massive blight on local neighbourhoods and can have a big impact on people’s lives.”

Fly tipping is illegal in the UK and at present fines can be handed out of up to £50,000 with more serious cases potentially resulting in up to five years imprisonment. However, in addition to these existing rules, Leicester Council is now planning a new project which will allow them to go after medium sized fly tippers and hand them a quick £250 fixed penalty notice. This follows changes in UK law which will hand local authorities greater powers when it comes to tackling the dumping of waste with permission to issue notices of between £150 and £400.

Leicester Council has also underlined the importance of having a valid waste carrier certificate. If you transport, buy, sell, dispose of or arrange for someone else to buy, sell, or dispose of waste then you are required to register for a waste carriers, brokers or dealers license.

Here at LSPS we support businesses and individuals with their waste disposal needs. More information about our waste recycling and disposal services can be found here or alternatively you can call LSPS on our free phone number: 0800 083 7807.