Hull City Council has issued a warning to people in the city who collect waste illegally.
The warning comes after the council successfully secured a prosecution against an unlicensed waste collector last month (May).
Ashley Mathew Rugg of Morley Villas, Sherburn Street, Hull, was found guilty of unlawfully collecting scrap metal in January of last year.
Evidence obtained by the council found that Mr Rugg was not lawfully registered with the Environment Agency as an authorised waste carrier or with the council as a licenced scrap metal collector.
Mr Rugg attended Hull Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the following offences:
- section 1(1) Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
- section 5(7) Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989
- section 34(5) Environmental Protection Act 1990
- section 71(3) Environmental Protection Act 1990
Mr Rugg was ordered to pay a £666 fine, £266 victim surcharge and £250 in costs and compensation to the council, in addition to obtaining a criminal record
Councillor Charles Quinn, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates that we do not take illegal waste collections lightly and we will prosecute those who carry out these offences.
“We would encourage residents to always check that their waste collector is authorised, and if not refuse to use them.
“Anyone who is contacted by people offering waste clearance services of any kind should always ask to see proof of authority. If they cannot provide this, don’t take a chance. Never use unauthorised collectors.
“We also recommend not using people who cold call, advertise on social media, or want to be paid in cash. Remember, it is best to pay by card, always ask for a receipt and don’t use anyone whose price is too good to be true.”
Hull City Council continues to urge residents to dispose of or recycle their household waste through approved services – including any of the city’s waste and recycling centres, household collection schemes, and bulky household collection services.
For further information, visit Household waste recycling centres | Hull .
The council also urges anyone using non-council services to collect and remove waste, to check that the persons are an authorised waste carrier.
To check if a person is authorised to remove waste, visit Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers (data.gov.uk), or call 03708 506 506.
To report an unauthorised waste carrier, visit Illegal waste carriers | Hull, or call 01482 300 300.
