A Newcastle man who claimed he gave his rubbish to a man in a white van to dispose of has ended up in court and fined after the waste was fly tipped in Northumberland. 
 

Northumberland County Council is now warning residents and businesses that they too could be unwittingly using a rogue trader to remove their waste and are advising people to be extra vigilant and check traders are genuine before handing over waste - or they too could end up with a hefty fine. 

An investigation was launched by Northumberland County Council’s public protection environmental enforcement team after piles of rubbish were found dumped on two occasions in the county. 

On Tuesday August 20, 2019, the Council received a report of a fly tipping incident at Hindley Woods, Stocksfield of a large quantity of mixed household waste. 

The following week, on Thursday August 29, a further report of a fly tipping incident was received by the council at Codlaw Woods, Netherwitton of a large quantity of mixed household waste. 

The waste was traced back to Mohammed Razaq of Hartburn Place, Fenham who was called in for interview with the county council’s
enforcement officers. 

He said that his wife had organised a skip for most of the waste, but he was tasked with removing the remaining items. He said that he had given the waste to a male who attended his address with a van and removed the waste for £200. He did not ask for identification or note the vehicle registration number or ask for a waste carriers' certificate and where the waste was being taken too. 

Razaq pleaded guilty in relation to their Duty of Care contrary to Section 34(1) Environmental Protection Act 1990. 

On Friday 5 November, Razaq, 30, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates. He was ordered to pay a total of £470 after he pleaded guilty to two offences of failing in his duty of care for the disposal of waste generated during his property renovations. 

Philip Soderquest, head of housing and public protection at Northumberland County Council said:  
 
“ There is a growing criminal scam in which residents pay, in good faith, to have their bulky waste taken away by people posing as legitimate waste collectors, but who then, to avoid costs, go on to fly tip the very material they were being paid to pick up.” 
 
“Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence and takes time and money to clear up.  
 
“This case serves as a reminder that if you pay for your waste to be taken away and don’t check where it’s going, you are running the risk of a fine or prosecution yourself. 
 
Residents are being advised to always ensure they use a registered waste carrier, who will dispose of their waste lawfully at an authorised site. They are also advised to be particularly wary of businesses that only operate through social media and do not seem to have a landline phone number or business address, or of anyone coming to their door offering to take away rubbish for less than expected. 
 
Before handing over their waste to anyone, residents must also ask to see a current waste carriers license issued by the Environment Agency and obtain a waste transfer note or invoice from the business which should include the vehicle registration number used for removal and where the waste is going. If they cannot give you these items, then do not give them your waste. 
 
“There are so many ways to get rid of waste responsibly and most of our residents do so. No matter what the waste, or the reasons behind it, fly tipping will never be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly by the council. “ added Mr Soderquest.