Bucks Council issues rogue trader warning following fly-tipping incidents
Bucks Council has issued guidance to residents on how they can avoid rogue traders who may dump their rubbish illegally.
A new acronym has been released by the council to help residents check waste businesses are legitimate. Bucks Council has developed a S.C.R.A.P code so residents can take a few quick steps to verify businesses before handing over their money and rubbish.
This helps residents avoid future potential fines and support keeping Buckinghamshire's streets, parks and countryside free from fly-tipping, the council says.
This is the code the authority is encouraging residents to use:
S - Suspect all waste carriers; do not allow waste to be collected until a carrier has proven they are legitimate. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
C - Check that the waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.
R - Refuse any unexpected or time-sensitive offers to remove rubbish. If something doesn't feel right or there are concerns that waste may be disposed of illegally, report it to the Environment Agency.
A - Ask where your waste is going. A legitimate carrier should be able to explain how it will be disposed of and provide evidence if asked.
P - Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt (including a description of the waste being removed) and the waste carriers' contact details.
Councillor Ade Osibogun said: “No one wants to discover that rubbish they’ve paid to have removed has been dumped illegally. By taking a few simple checks before handing over waste, residents can protect themselves from potential fines, help prevent fly-tipping and keep Buckinghamshire clean.
“If waste is given to an unregistered carrier, it could be dumped elsewhere, harming the environment and creating costs for local communities. By following the S.C.R.A.P. code, residents can make informed choices about who takes their waste and help stop fly-tipping before it happens.
“Together, by making the right checks before handing over our waste, we can help prevent fly-tipping and keep Buckinghamshire clean, safe and attractive, protecting the neighbourhoods, parks and countryside that matter most to our communities.”