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SEPA enforcement team monitoring social media to catch 'chancers' advertising illegal waste collections


By Alan Hendry

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"Chancers" advertising illegal waste collections on social media sites are being targeted by Scotland’s environmental regulator in a new digital clampdown.

Household waste recycling centres across the country are now open but many have restrictions in place – and people may still have bulky items and excess waste that cannot be transported.

In the Highland Council area, only bagged household waste, garden waste, cardboard and electrical appliances can be taken to waste recycling sites at present.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning those trying to make a quick buck from the current situation by operating illegally that they are firmly in the spotlight. Direct warnings will be sent to those not registered with SEPA who are placing adverts – with fines of up to £5000 for non-compliance.

SEPA’s specialist enforcement team has been working alongside Police Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland and local authorities throughout the lockdown period to tackle waste crime.

These specialist officers are monitoring sites such as Facebook and Gumtree to catch waste criminals as part of a wider effort to deter illegal activity across the waste management chain. Describing them as "chancers", SEPA insists that "those who deliberately flout the rules will face the uncompromising regulator their behaviour deserves".

Head of enforcement Jennifer Shearer said: “We know that illegal activity places further stress on legitimate operators – especially where services are being pushed through social media and other channels.

“Through our monitoring of social media we’ve unfortunately seen a number of instances of couriers and so-called white van men taking the opportunity to offer an unauthorised waste collection service and then often dumping in public spaces or remote parts of countryside – creating an unsafe environmental hazard and an eyesore for the community.

“Having witnessed an increase in adverts of this kind in recent months, our digital disruption is designed to take those operating illegally out of the market.”

Where enforcement officers identify that adverts and messages are being distributed by carriers not registered with SEPA, they will make contact to warn them that they are operating illegally. If they do not apply for a registration or stop their activities, SEPA will take enforcement action which could see them subjected to fines or prosecution.

SEPA says there is also an important role for the public, with a warning that the use of unlicensed waste collectors could result in waste contributing to fly-tipping and other illegal activity.

“Don’t engage the services of people who are not authorised,” Ms Shearer explains. “Remember, services that sound too good to be true often are, and could lead to your waste being illegally fly-tipped or disposed of by other illegitimate means.

“Anyone offering to take your waste away should be able to provide a waste carrier registration number and tell you the named facility they will take the waste to – if they can’t provide this information, don’t allow them to take your waste.

“Now more than ever, Scots are recognising the importance of local services like recycling and the part we all play in correctly managing our waste. You have the responsibility to take care of your waste and if we trace it back to you we can take enforcement action against you too. We don’t want people to be put in that situation, so make sure that anyone who takes your waste for disposal is properly accredited.”

Scotland's environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “We owe a massive thank-you to all those in the waste industry who are working hard to keep services running in challenging circumstances. Illegal activities such as fly-tipping add to the burden of those who continue to deliver essential services.

“SEPA has a vital role in regulating and monitoring waste carrier services and I welcome the proactive approach they are taking to target unregistered waste businesses. It is vital that individuals take responsibility for checking that the waste carrier they use is registered and will dispose of waste correctly.”

A new website – managingourwaste.scot – from SEPA, Zero Waste Scotland and partners will give updates and advice on how to manage waste.

Three tips on household waste disposal:

  • DO use common sense. If you are approached out of the blue with an offer to dispose of your waste so quickly and cheaply it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • DON’T entrust your waste with someone if they are unable to tell you basic information like their waste carrier registration number and the named site they are taking the waste to.
  • DO take responsibility for who you give waste to – if illegally-disposed-of waste is traced back to you then you could be liable for enforcement action too.

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