In a plea to local residents, the council is asking people to think carefully about creating excess rubbish until a time when it can be disposed of properly.
This is following recent fly-tipping incidents at Ilkeston Town Football Club and West Park in Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council is warning people that they will face prosecution if they fly-tip and are reminded not to post on social media for ‘a man with a van’ to dispose of household waste.
Only licensed waste carriers can dispose of household waste, however, given the current situation and in sticking with the Government’s Stay at Home guidelines, it is advised that people keep waste to a minimum and hold any excess until household recycling centres are reopened.
If the items are instead dumped, the person who the waste belongs to and the person who dumped the waste could face prosecution.
Fines are up to £50,000 - unlimited if it goes to the Crown Court, or an offender can be sent to prison. If fly-tipped waste is traced back to a particular household, the householders could be fined up to £5,000.
Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment at Erewash Borough Council, said: “It is disappointing to see that some people would choose to blight the borough at a time like this. We understand that people want to get rid of their waste but we would like to gently remind residents of the laws around fly-tipping.
It is a serious offence which can result in substantial fines for those who are prosecuted. We would urge people to refrain from advertising for someone to dispose of their waste – if the waste is then dumped you could be the one left out of pocket.”
More information on fly-tipping can be found at erewash.gov.uk. You can report incidents of Fly-tipping via My Erewash.
Garden waste collections are currently suspended to ensure that black and blue bin collections can continue at a time when resources are limited.