Resident’s across South Somerset are being warned not to take to Facebook in the attempt to find a cheap way of disposing of waste this Christmas.
There is a growing industry of ‘Facebook Fly-tippers’ who pose online as legitimate waste removal companies but then dump the rubbish down country lanes and laybys.
If fly-tipped waste can be traced back to its owner, the owner can be fined even if they had no idea it was going to be fly-tipped.
Every individual and business has a ‘duty of care’ to ensure they correctly dispose of their waste. Remember your responsibilities for waste disposal this Christmas with the following festive rhyme:
Twas the night after Christmas and the bins were all full, With the wrapping and packing and crackers you pull. Where shall it go, how do we wave it good-bye, Let’s look on Facebook for a rubbish removal guy.
Take care, beware, all is not as it seems, That really cheap price may not be a dream. Check the man with a van before you proceed, A fly-tipping fine is trouble you don’t need.
Enjoy the festivities and Christmas cheer, Recycle now and throughout the year. Let’s work together to stop the fly-tippers, And make sure our district is one that glitters.
Always be wary of businesses that only operate through social media, do not seem to have a landline number or business address, and offer a very cheap cash deal.
Never pay cash, always get a full receipt and note details of people and vehicles. Always check the business has a valid licence on the Environment Agency’s website: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index.
For more advice about how to fight fly-tipping in Somerset, visit: http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/about/fight-fly-tipping/.
Councillor Carol Goodall, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health said, “Whilst we appreciate every household will create more waste over the Christmas period than normal, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the waste going into your black refuse bin such as ensuring as much recyclable waste goes out for collect.
“If you have accumulated a lot of cardboard or paper, you could store it and put some out each week with your recycling. If you have time and transport, take it all to a recycling site.”
Find out more about Christmas waste collections such as day changes on our website at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/christmascollections.