Cyngor Gwynedd takes successful steps against illegal waste tipping

Cyngor Gwynedd is warning people that disposing waste in an inconsiderate manner could lead to severe consequences.

This comes after the Council gave Fixed Penalty Notices - a financial fine - to two people following a case of illegal waste tipping at Llanbeblig Cemetery, Caernarfon.

Over the Christmas period, Cyngor Gwynedd received a complaint about litter in the cemetery and an investigation was undertaken by the Council's Enforcement Service.

A £150 fine was given to one of the individuals for breaching the Duty of Care, which means asking someone who did not have a valid licence to transport waste on their behalf. The other individual was given a £180 fine for disposing waste in an illegal manner and for transporting waste without being licensed to do so.

Following the case, new signs have also been erected in the cemetery to warn the public against illegal tipping.

Councillor June Jones, Cabinet Member for Street Services, Cyngor Gwynedd, said:

"Fly-tipping, disposing waste illegally and other environmental crimes have a severe impact on our communities and environment. We will not tolerate selfish acts as seen in the Llanbeblig area recently, and we will use our powers to give fixed penalty notices and, where required, prosecute those responsible.

"There is no excuse for throwing or leaving litter. Such actions make our areas look untidy, cause risks to public health, pollute the environment and harm wildlife.

"I remind people that it is their responsibility to check whether someone who disposes of waste, or clears a house on their behalf, has the licence to do so. Most companies providing this type of service do so in a responsible and legal manner. But, as this case shows, there are heedless people out there who are willing to dispose of waste in an irresponsible manner, and this could lead to severe consequences for you.” 

Steven Edwards, Street Enforcement Service Manager, Cyngor Gwynedd, added:

"We are very grateful to members of the public who took the time to report these incidents. Remember, anyone can inform the Council about environmental crimes through the website or the apGwynedd app."

To ensure that you dispose of waste responsibly and legally, the people of Gwynedd should follow these steps:

• Use the Council's waste and recycling services regularly, the details of your collection date and what goes into what bin is available on the Council's website.
• If you have been clearing out and want to dispose of many items, take your additional waste to your local recycling centre. Remember to book a slot and separate your waste in advance. The details of all the centres can be found on the Council's website.
• If you need to dispose of large items, for example a sofa or a freezer, it is possible to arrange a bulky waste collection from the Council. There are details on the Council's website.
• If you need to arrange a private / commercial house clearing service, you have a duty to ensure that they are registered and have a licence to undertake the work. A list of companies registered to transport waste is available on the Natural Resources Wales website.