Posted on: Friday 19 January 2024
A Caerphilly resident has been prosecuted after around 10 bags of rubbish were found fly-tipped at a local Torfaen beauty spot.
The rubbish, which included receipts, food waste, and recyclables, was found on Twmbarlam Mountain in Upper Cwmbran by a member of the public in October 2022, who reported it to the Council’s Public Protection service.
Last week in Newport Magistrates’ Court, Mr Joe Roberts of 31 Hafodathen Road, Llanhilleth, pleaded guilty for failing to take reasonable measures to appropriately dispose of his waste.
Investigations by Environmental Health Officers discovered that the rubbish belonged to. When questioned by officers about how it had been found fly-tipped, he claimed he had hired an unknown individual to remove and dispose of some household waste, without making checks to confirm whether they had the necessary licence.
Due to Mr Roberts not checking if the individual was a reputable person, and his household waste being fly-tipped, he was ordered to pay a total of £1,724.05 by the Courts in connection with breaching his duty of care under section 34(2A) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for Environment, said: “This case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper waste disposal practices, and carrying out checks when entrusting waste removal to third parties to ensure they are appropriately registered.
“Environmental protection remains a shared responsibility, and individuals must take all reasonable measures to ensure their waste is handled and disposed of appropriately.
“Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime, and costs taxpayers a significant amount to clean up. It looks unsightly and can be detrimental to our communities, wildlife, and the environment.
“I would like to commend the excellent work of the Council’s Environmental Health Officers in bringing this case before the Courts and achieving a successful outcome.”
Report fly-tipping in the borough