NORTH Wales householders can now be fined £300 if they fail to make checks about where their waste is going

Fly-tipping Action Wales is raising awareness with the It’s Your Duty to Care campaign launched on Friday, May 10, which informs householders of their legal duty to ensure that anybody they give their household waste to is a registered waste carrier.

With more than two-thirds of fly-tipping incidents in Wales containing waste from people’s homes, residents now run the risk of a £300 fixed penalty notice or even prosecution, if an enforcement officer finds they haven’t checked or if they haven’t exercised their household waste duty of care.

Gary Evans, Programme Manager at Fly-tipping Action Wales, said: “The introduction of this £300 Fixed Penalty Notice is a crucial step towards helping reduce the number of fly-tipping incidents in Wales — specifically because such a large quantity comes from households.

"People across Wales need to understand that fly-tipping is a crime, and it is vital we all take the necessary steps to avoid illegal operators who undermine genuine waste service providers.”

Figures from a recent survey revealed that only 56 percent of people in Wales understand what 'household waste duty of care' means with regards to getting rid of household rubbish or unwanted items, with a further 30 percent of people noting fly-tipping to be a major or significant problem in their community.

When arranging the removal of household waste, people in Wales are advised to check with Natural Resources Wales that the person or company they are using is registered by visiting naturalresources.wales/checkWaste or calling 03000 653000.

The campaign also encourages residents ask for a receipt from the company used to remove the waste and to record details of the business and vehicle details including the make, model and registration to avoid being charged.

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said: “Fly-tipping continues to be a major problem facing communities across Wales. We all have a responsibility to make sure our waste doesn’t end up in the wrong hands, and these Fixed Penalty Notices provide local authorities across Wales with an alternative tool to help tackle the problem.

"I believe it is important that people understand the damage fly-tipping does to the environment and ensure they always use registered waste carriers when disposing of household items.”

For more information on ways to dispose of household waste safely, legally and responsibly, visit dutyofcare.wales.