Beware the Facebook flytippers

WARRINGTON residents are being warned that they could end up in court and facing a massive fine if they allow themselves to fall foul of Facebook fly-tippers.
As part of its clampdown on fly-tipping, the borough council is investigating a number of major cases where members of the public have employed rubbish removal services via Facebook.
Rather than disposing of the waste correctly, these individuals, who are merely posing as legitimate waste removal companies, have simply fly-tipped it onto streets and green spaces around Warrington.
Environmental crime enforcement officers are sent out to sift through allfly-tipped waste for evidence – and if the waste is traced back to residents, they will be held liable and could be prosecuted.
Households could be fined up to £50,000 and left with a criminal record if they use what the government has dubbed “waste cowboys” – even if they pay them in good faith.
The council is offering local people advice to make sure they aren’t duped when seeking to employ waste removal services.
•Ask anyone who advertises their services for their name, the name of their business and their waste carriers registration number.
•Check if the individual or company is an officially registered waste carrier by visiting https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register
•Remember – that to be accepted as a legitimate carrier and appear on the public register, all companies must apply for a ‘waste carrier license’ at www.gov.uk/waste-carrier-or-broker-registration
The council’s lead member for environment and public protection, Cllr Judith Guthrie (pictured), said: “We are facing a new challenge in our fight against fly-tipping – and that’s the increasing numbers of bogus waste removal services advertising on social media sites.
“We’re sending out the message to residents – it’s your responsibility to check carefully that the company or individual who is disposing of your waste is registered to do so. If you don’t, you could be liable for any fly-tipping that occurs. This isn’t just about helping us protect the environment, it’s about protecting yourself too.”