The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is teaming up with police, local authorities and Network Rail in a concerted effort to tackle those businesses and individuals trying to dodge waste laws and dumping their rubbish everywhere from beauty spots to railway verges.

The initiative is part of Scotland’s on-going Dump the Dumpers campaign.

Following the success of a similar seven-day clamp down in June, where around 300 vehicles were stopped and searched and 42 notices were issued to waste carriers who couldn’t provide paperwork or proof of registration, operations will again be carried out at notorious dumping grounds aimed at identifying individuals and searching vehicles thought to be carrying waste without being registered.

SEPA’s fly-tipping co-ordinator Archie Rowatt said: “People who fly-tip know they are breaking the law and creating an eyesore in the community. The idea behind this week is to raise awareness of how not only businesses but also individuals should consider the impacts of their actions whether it is in the home, business or local community.

“SEPA is also continuing to use Fly Capture, which is an electronic system recording the amount and type of waste illegally fly tipped in Scotland. It enables local authorities to input data and calculate the costs for clearing the problem, with the ultimate aim of tackling the problem by focussing resources, targeting hotspots and identifying trends. ”

Environmental regulations place a duty of care on businesses and householders to ensure that contractors removing their rubbish are registered waste carriers. Those failing to undertake this duty face fines of up to £5000.

Businesses and householders across Scotland are can also click on to a new online waste carriers register to check that any person removing their rubbish is authorised to do so.

Sam Bond

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