Rubbish dumped in woods came from Watford roofing firm (From Watford Observer)

Businessman fined after rubbish from his firm found fly-tipped in Whippendell Woods

1:08pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

A Watford man has been fined after waste from his roofing company ended up fly-tipped in a car park in Whippendell Woods.

An environmental crime officer from Watford Borough Council was called after the bags were found dumped at the site on December 8.
 
An investigation of the waste found evidence relating to a company called Tudor Roofing and a ‘Mr D Smith, Hillrise Avenue, Watford’.

On January 16, Dean Smith of that address was interviewed at Watford Borough Council Town Hall under caution and identified the waste from the fly-tip as waste from his business Tudor Roofing.

He said he had passed this waste to a waste carrier after getting their details from the internet, and paid £150 for its disposal. However he failed to provide any details to identify the carrier.

As a business, Mr Smith is lawfully required to ensure his waste is passed to a waste carrier licensed by the Environment Agency and to obtain waste transfer notes which show what the waste is, who the carrier is and where it was taken.

Smith pleaded guilty to the failure of his duty of care in relation to waste produced by his business Watford Magistrates Court on Friday.

He was fined £850 and costs of £2,346.10 were awarded to Watford Borough Council. A victim surcharge of £15 was also awarded.

Councillor Derek Scudder, member with responsibility for environmental issues, said: "This case shows that you don’t have to physically dump rubbish to be prosecuted for fly-tipping.

"Anyone who gives waste to another person for disposal without checking they are authorised to carry the waste or know where the waste is going, can be found guilty.

"We work with residents and businesses to give advice about how to best dispose of their waste, but will continue to tackle those who litter and fly-tip our streets. We would encourage anybody who sees someone in the act of flytipping to report it."

Fly-tipping can be reported to the council by telephone on 01923 278503 or by clicking the ‘Report it’ link on the homepage of the council’s website.