Published: Thursday 02nd September 2021 | 3.43pm
A message on Facebook that led to a man from Wednesbury offering his `services` to remove waste was not `liked` in the way he hoped it would be after he was prosecuted by Cannock Chase Council and ended up with a criminal conviction.
On 31 August Marcus Eagles of Dorsett Road in Wednesbury pleaded guilty at Cannock Magistrates Court to an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court heard that a member of the public responded to his message on Facebook offering to remove some waste, thinking this was a legitimate service being provided, but in fact the waste Mr Eagles collected ended up being fly tipped in a car park off Brindley Heath Road near Hednesford.
Environmental Health Officers tracked the man down and duly prosecuted him. The 23-year-old was fined £400, ordered to pay costs of £762 and a made to pay a victim surcharge of £40.
Councillor Justin Johnson, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio Leader said: “Waste can only be taken away by registered waste carriers who are included on the Environment Agency’s official website. We always advise residents and businesses to be on their guard when hiring waste removers and only ever use a registered waste carrier.
“For this young man it means he now has a criminal record and won’t be able to work in the authorised waste industry for some time to come. This Council takes fly tipping very seriously. It regularly monitors social media sites and local adverts and those who do fly tip risk having their vehicle seized, being banned from driving and in the most severe cases even spending time in prison.”
The Council’s advice is to suspect everyone until you are certain they are a legitimate waste carrier.
The Council follows the national SCRAP code and asks residents to:
S - Suspect all waste carriers; do not let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
C - Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website or call the Agency on 08708 506 506 to confirm.
R - Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away. If you suspect that someone who you have spoken to will be disposing of waste illegally, report them to the Environment Agency.
A - Ask what will happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.
P - Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details and ideally their vehicle registration number.
Residents can report fly tipping by emailing customerservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or calling 01543 462621.
Photograph:
The waste fly tipped at a car park off Brindley Heath Road.