Around Ealing June 2018 | Page 15

ENFORCEMENT Avoid fly-tip traps Most of us take great care with our rubbish but fly-tipping is still a problem across the country and some people add to it without realising, reports Dan Stephens. A nyone would be horrified to find they had helped cause fly-tipping by accident. It is the norm to try hard to keep your home, and area, looking nice and to recycle as much as possible. Ealing Council has specialist enforcement teams patrolling the streets cleaning up and collecting evidence from fly-tips, which helps them trace rubbish back to the places they originated from. These residents, tenants, landlords or business owners can then be taken to court and hit with fines. The facts: n   All rubbish must be put out inside your black bin, no bags should be left next to it. Maybe you can recycle more instead? n   Anyone you pay to take rubbish away must be a fully licensed waste carrier – beware rogue traders who just dump it illegally n   Landlords must take responsibility for ensuring that all rubbish left by tenants leaving the premises is disposed of properly and legally. This includes mattresses, which are one of the most common larger items cleared by the council’s teams n   Local businesses need to have a commercial waste contract for their rubbish, or they could be subject to a hefty fine should fly-tips be traced back to their company. ‘SERIOUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM’ Councillor Mik Sabiers, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “Fly-tipping is a concern for residents across the borough and a serious and costly problem for the council. “Our specialist enforcement teams have been clearing up to 800 fly-tips every month. Each new one means more time and resources being spent on the clear-up job. “The council has a range of services available to help residents get rid of their waste and has recently launched a campaign to support local landlords. So, I encourage everyone to find out the facts. It is in all our interests. By doing so you would not only help to keep our streets clean and tidy but also avoid the risk of finding yourself being prosecuted and fined.” A HELPING HAND A range of support is available to residents, businesses and landlords to help them avoid becoming a fly-tipper. Visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/ fly-tip for more details, or visit www.ealing.gov.uk/recycling around ealing    June 2018 15