Cornwall Residents Fined Hundreds for Fly-Tipping – Are You at Risk?

Cornwall Council has issued a stark warning to residents and businesses after two people were penalised for fly-tipping. The council is reminding the public that failing to dispose of waste correctly could lead to fines of up to £1,000.

Two Residents Fined for Dumping Waste

A £500 penalty was issued to one individual after they were found to have dumped five black bags of rubbish in Greensplat, St Austell, in February.

In a separate case, another resident was fined £200 after paying an unlicensed individual to remove their waste, which was later fly-tipped in St Dennis, St Austell, in January. The resident admitted to Cornwall Council officers that they had hired a man with a van who had cold-called at their property, offering to remove rubbish. They had not checked whether he was a licensed waste carrier and failed to obtain any contact details.

Both cases were investigated by the Council’s Community Protection team, with evidence from landowners helping to track down those responsible.

Stronger Penalties Now in Place

Cornwall Council has updated its fixed penalty fines for fly-tipping, with new rates coming into effect on 1st March.

• Anyone responsible for a large-scale fly-tip or dumping hazardous materials now faces a £1,000 fixed penalty.
• A smaller-scale fly-tip will result in a £500 fixed penalty.
• Failure to pay could lead to prosecution, where offenders face an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison.
• Vehicles used to carry out fly-tipping offences may also be seized.

Call for Public Help

Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Environment at Cornwall Council, said:

“Fly-tipping is totally unacceptable. It puts people and animals at risk, and clearing up fly-tips can be costly – the bill for which is ultimately picked up by council taxpayers or landowners.

“If you see waste being dumped please report it and include details or potential evidence that could help us to identify those responsible. Footage from CCTV cameras, dash-cams and doorbell cameras can really help our investigations.

“Businesses, no matter how small, must use a licensed waste carrier to remove any commercial waste.

“I’d also like to remind residents that if you pay to have waste removed, you are legally responsible for ensuring you use a licensed waste carrier. Otherwise, you could face a fine or prosecution if the waste is not disposed of properly.”

How to Report Fly-Tipping

Cornwall Council urges residents to report fly-tipped waste and submit any evidence, such as pictures or videos, that may help identify those responsible. Reports can be made via the Cornwall Council website: Report Fly-Tipping.

Businesses looking for guidance on waste disposal regulations can find more information here: Advice for Businesses on Commercial Waste.