As part of their current ‘Tip-Off’ anti-flytipping campaign, Dorset Council is directly addressing some of the comments it hears from residents in the fight against the illegal dumping of waste.
The most consistent complaint received is that Household Recycling Centre (HRC) charges have directly led to an increase in fly-tipping. Yet, there is no statistical data to support this belief.
Jeremy Gallagher, one of Dorset Council’s Waste Enforcement Officers, explains:
“The Enforcement Team is out every day around Dorset, investigating fly-tips and trying to catch the criminals responsible.
Most of the waste we find is regular ‘black bag’ rubbish; the type that can be disposed of at an HRC free of charge. Those dumped items that are charged for generally appear to have been fly-tipped by rogue traders or illegal waste carriers, such as an unlicenced ‘man in a van.’
HRCs have always been for the disposal of typical household waste; Commercial waste has never been accepted for free at any of our sites. If a tradesman produces or carries waste as part of their everyday activities, that person has always needed to budget its disposal into their business costs.”
The idea that the removal of HRC charges would lead to a halt in fly-tipping is a bemusing one to Jeremy. Fly-tipping was on the rise before the charges were introduced back in September 2016 and, while the trend has sadly continued, there has been no related spike in incidents since.
“By blaming fly-tipping solely on the council for introducing HRC charges, the problem is being oversimplified and anti-social criminal behaviour is being excused and normalised.
There are dozens of facilities across the county that accept commercial waste. Those who choose to fly-tip are simply looking to save themselves money. Understandable, but illegal nonetheless.
Even if we could open our HRCs to dispose of commercial waste for free, Dorset residents would still bear the financial cost of processing the waste through treatment or landfill tax. Why should tax-payers subsidise the profits of private businesses?”
Jeremy sometimes hears that local authorities have made access to HRCs too difficult for some.
“Our ten HRCs are open and free to visit 362 days a year. Most vehicles – including vans, trailers and commercially registered vehicles – can enter our sites. Those that do need a permit can apply for one online free of charge and approval is usually immediate.”
However, Jeremy and the Waste Enforcement Team remain determined to get to grips with the problem: –
“We all have a responsibility to prevent fly-tipping and the only way we can effectively fight this behaviour is for local authorities and the public to work together.
Dorset Council has a responsibility to investigate, pursue and penalise fly-tippers, as well as clear up the mess they leave behind. We’re working closely with Dorset Police and are taking more action than ever before. Concerned residents should report fly-tips to us, check they are handing their waste to a reputable business or individual and use their HRC whenever they can.
We share the public’s frustration with fly-tipping; it’s a blight on our beautiful county. But we’re taking this problem very seriously and will continue to work toward eradicating this illegal activity.”
One of the main causes of fly tipping is that you will not allow people with commercial vehicles to dump their household waste at the HRC. Until recently I worked for a local dairy company. When I arrived at the HRC in a milk float with an old bathroom suite I was not allowed to dump it unless I got a permit. When I asked how I was supposed to get a bath into a car , I was told that I would have to cut it up.
A great many people now have company vans which they keep at home and use for personal use. A more lenient, common sense attitude to vans should be applied. A bathroom suite on a milk float is obviously not trade waste
It’s true that you would need a permit in this instance but, as stated in the release, these are free of charge and can be applied for online with an immediate response. You can find more details at https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/recycling-centres/van-permits
Spot on, Gary. And I would add that whilst most of the HRC staff are pleasant and helpful, not all are. One in particular makes you feel as if you are trespassing on his personal domain
I was told – “very firmly” that I would be charged £2.50 for two small pieces of plasterboard about 150 – 200 mm square by a DWP employee at the Dorchester Waste Disposal site. Who then proceed to be-rate me for not reading the signs posted on the wall on the inside of the site. A most off putting and stressful experience.
I’ve always found the employees at the Dorchester Site most helpful and cheerful up until my latest visit. Sadly there is no alternative for waste disposal and I’m not looking forward to my next venture to the site.
Please state what the reasons for charging for small amounts of waste such as China bathroom sinks and toilet pans, but steel or glass fibre baths are free?
The small amounts of China and wall tiles are not commercial waste nor are they in skip sized amounts.
There is also the remarks in some quarters that the charges are actually illegal as you are already charging households or waste disposal.
Add the above to the attitude of some staff at HRC’s and you have a very upset and annoyed people.
The main problem is not the charges. It is the restrictions you have put on the household. I recycle as much as I can, but very rarely can I fit all my rubbish in the bin the council provide. There is only the 2 of us in the house, but still manage to create enough to fill a black bin every 2 weeks easily. Also you will not take extra bags put by the side of the bin. Some people do not have a car, there are disabled to think of, and of course the people who do not care. But because the charges at the tip have now been widely talked about, everyone thinks they have to pay for virtually everything you take to the tip. Though not true, you will not get that mentality out of some peoples minds. Also remember people do have work done in their houses and have to dispose of the rubbish.
I carried out some decorating for my daughter and when I took down 2 bags of plaster board offcuts to Dorchester Recycling Centre, I was charged for the disposal. In my mind this was domestic waste. I am not or never have been a professional (or paid amateur) decorator.
I must also comment on the access to this site.
Road access is too narrow, verges are overgrown with brambles and branches scratching vehicles and many delays on entering the centre
It must be hugely frustrating for all of the commercial enterprises along the road together with their customers and delivery vehicles.
Please make improvements to this site.
I took a number of bags of domestic hardcore to the Blandford HRC, but brought them back to bury in the garden because of the charge being asked. Very irritating in view of the outrageous Council Tax that I have to pay.
I have 4 car tyres in my garden the longham tip wont take after paying substantial council tax over 2 THOUSAND POUNDS PER YEAR what can i do with them the council has an agreement with tax payers to take their rubbish. And I define rubbish as anything my household no longer wants. Typical you take our money and give us poor service.
I understand the need to regulate the use of HRC’s by tradesmen. Perfectly acceptable. However the very name HRC tells me that as a householder I should be able to dispose of “Chargeable waste” free from any charge.
I have just renewed the roof of my shed. The old felt, disposed of, no charge. The old wood, disposed of, no charge. The non-functioning light fittings, disposed of, no charge. But when it came to the plaster-board that was on the ceiling……………..there was going to be a charge. I know not why. I still have it at home. I suppose I could have done what perhaps, otherwise law abiding citizens do……….dump it. I would suggest to you, some of the incidents of Fly Tipping, is just that. Ordinary folk who find some of the charges at the HRC sites just too much. I would accept this is not the sole reason for fly tripping, but a reason no doubt.
I, Mr. Average Householder, want a web page where I can enter my postcode and get a list of local, EA licensed, businesses to dispose of my bulky household waste.
I don’t want to have to find a business first and then have to find out if they’re registered – as the EA link you give above assumes.
“No license, no contact.”
You should allow a set period of time for individuals to deposit small amounts of brick rubble, broken garden ornaments, and natural stones at our recycling centres.
I myself and I’m sure others have growing stockpiles of these materials in gardens that could be recycled
There should be no tax / payment at point of delivery to the recycling centre.
I find the officious way I am dealt with at Wareham recycling centre very offensive. In February after becoming annoyed with the amount of litter dropped around our village myself and a friend spent an hour collecting the rubbish and as I was already taking a booked item to the site I took the three black bags with me.
On arrival the “operative” standing beside the household rubbish skip demanded to know what was inside said bags.
When I explained we had collected from the verges I was told ” this is not a rubbish dump, it’s a recycling centre you’ll need to sort it all” I ended up having to take it all home and put it in my own bin as I am not going to sort the type of rubbish we collect (nappies condoms along with drinks cartons bottles and food).
We won’t be collecting again we’ll leave it to the council!
most people are not aware of this rule. it happens a lot when moving house and they have hired a van to do it, thinking they can take what they don’t want to the HRC site. time is usually tight as the hire vehicle has to be returned and may not have the time or the ability to go online. surely a proof of address would be sufficient. when are the charges for stone and rubble being abolished, I have seen this material dumped in lay-bys . this is more difficult to trace. with other dumped waste an envelope with an address or photos dumped can lead you to the person who owned the waste and they need to explain why they don’t have a waste transfer note or any proof of who took the waste, if they don’t have that . they should be liable for a fine to cover the cost of removing the fly tipped waste .
I run a removal company and also offer a house clearance service.
Unfortunately, I have had to give up the clearance side of my business due to the ridiculous pricing at the Recycle Centres.
If I take just one sofa to the Centre, I will be charged for a full van load.
A van load is anywhere from £160 to £300.
Therefore, when customers call now and I tell then the charge, they don’t call back.
I don’t know how other firms are doing it, whether they store items or just fly tip them.
The bottom line is my customers are obviously finding someone who will take it cheaper, so it’s anyone’s guess if they are doing it legally.
I do try to sell or donate items but I don’t have storage.
Years ago the Govt said they were looking into the problem of fly tipping but they just made it worse.
If I could take a sofa there for £20, I could clear all those sofas dumped in the street. Especially noticeable if you ever go to Derby.
How much charge is there for black plastic bin bags of grass and cut down tree?
No charge Saleem – just make sure you empty the black bags into the garden waste, then place the discarded bags into the appropriate bin – James