Festive waste warning over rogue carriers

By Simon Bristow

With the festive season over for another year, Hull City Council is warning people to beware of rogue waste collectors offering to get rid of their excess Christmas rubbish.

Over Christmas and New Year, the amount of waste produced by households goes up by about a third, and unlicensed waste collectors in our region are seeking to take advantage of this by going door-to-door, or posting on social media, offering to dispose of waste in return for payment.

While residents might pay for such a service in good faith, their rubbish may end up being fly-tipped in the streets of Hull and East Yorkshire.

And residents can often suffer the legal consequences, including a £400 fixed penalty, or prosecution and an unlimited fine, plus a bill for clean-up costs.

Residents who decide to use someone other than the council to dispose of their rubbish should:

• Make sure that person is authorised to do so by asking to see their waste carrier’s registration, checking the Environment Agency’s Register of Waste Carriers,  or by calling 03708 506506.

• Get a receipt with details of the waste carrier, when the rubbish was removed, and the amount paid.

• Take pictures of the rubbish and make a note of the registration of the vehicle used to remove it.

Mark Cornall, environmental enforcement team leader at the council, said: “Whether it’s bags of wrapping paper, cardboard boxes or food packaging, your Christmas rubbish is at risk of being carelessly dumped if given to the wrong people.

“Excess household waste can be taken to one of Hull’s three household waste recycling centres, which are open seven days a week.

“You can also contact us for help and advice. Call 01482 300 300 or visit hull.gov.uk/bins.”

Unlicensed waste collectors in Hull can be reported to the council by calling 01482 300300 or via the illegal waste carriers page of the council’s website.

Bin collection days this week are different from normal. Find out more here.