EXTRA precautions should be taken when recruiting trades people via social media, Warrington Borough Council has warned.
If the tradesman is subsequently caught dumping waste illegally you could end up being fined.
Environmental crime officers at the council say people clearing and moving rubbish for a fee must have a licence to carry waste and should be able to present it on request.
The warning comes after a number of investigations linking fly-tipping right back to residents who employed someone via social media to clear their waste.
Council chiefs have identified two types of issue:
1. Residents actively asking who can clear their rubbish for them for payment.
2. Individuals offering to clear rubbish for payment.
Cllr Judith Guthrie (pictured), the council’s lead member for environment and public protection, said: “As a resident, it is your responsibility to ensure anyone you employ to remove your rubbish has a licence. They must also provide you with a transfer note stating what waste was removed and by whom.
“If you don’t check the licence and get a transfer note and the rubbish is then dumped illegally, you may leave yourself open to prosecution. Legitimate traders will be happy to show their credentials and to dispose of the waste legally.”
While correctly disposing of waste, residents who also recycle are saving the council millions. Recycling makes a major contribution to the environment however, too many people are still sending recyclable materials to landfill and it’s costing council tax payers more than £700,000 a year.
The council says it has never been easier to recycle. There are number of community recycling centres which enable residents to recycle a wide range of household waste. Details of local community recycling centres are available at warrington.gov.uk/recycling.
Anybody with information about fly-tipping should report it online at www.warrington.gov.uk/report or call 01925 443322.
Warning over social media trades people
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