The council campaign, which aims to educate businesses and residents on how to dispose of their waste responsibly and is also clear that failure to do so could risk a fine of £400 or up to £50,000 if prosecuted in court, has already started in Maidenhead.
Town centre businesses have been reminded of their responsibility to manage their commercial waste along with the steps to take to make sure all their waste is stored, secured and cleared regularly.
This is ahead of an increase in inspections from the council’s enforcement team in the coming weeks – where businesses will be expected to evidence their waste management plans and the registered provider they use.
Residents have also been reminded about dealing with their domestic waste and when and where this should be placed for collection. Advice and information on what can and can’t be recycled in the borough has been sent to residents in areas of the town centre – making clear the impact of not doing this has - including missed collections, overflowing bins, and environmental issues that negatively affect everyone.
The council is also reminding those using tradesmen for work or to take their rubbish away – that they need to ensure they are a registered waste carrier. If they don’t know what they do with that waste then they may be adding to the problem and, if it’s being dumped, can also be held responsible for it.
Anyone taking waste away for a fee, must have a waste carrier’s licence. If they are doing this legally they will provide a waste transfer notice
Councillor Richard Coe, Cabinet Member for Household and Regulatory Services, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the borough – it is not only an eyesore for our communities, but also harms our environment, poses risks to public health and safety and costs us money to clean up that could be spent on key services for our residents.
“This crackdown sends a clear message that we will not tolerate fly-tipping in the borough and will take tough action against those caught breaking the law – so we can ensure communities feel safer, and our spaces are clean and welcoming for everyone.”
Residents are able to let the council know if they see fly-tipping in the area, or even someone dumping their rubbish so the council can investigate and in some cases prosecute the person, via the report it section of the council’s website
More information on recycling and rubbish in the borough is on the council’s website