News
Waste removal company fined over £10,000 for fly-tipping
A company has been successfully prosecuted following a fly-tipping offence in Dodds Lane, Hemel Hempstead in September 2023.
On Wednesday 31 July 2024, at St Albans Magistrates' Court, Eco Clear Waste Management Ltd of Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley pleaded guilty to the unauthorised deposit of controlled waste in Dodds Lane, Hemel Hempstead.
The company was ordered to pay a total of £13,475, which consisted of a £10,000 fine, £1,159.73 costs, a victim surcharge of £2,000 and a compensation order of £316.09.
The court heard that on Friday 22 September 2023, an Environmental Enforcement Officer attended a report of multiple fly-tips in a country lane near Grovehill. While inspecting the household waste, the officer found evidence of its origin. Further investigation with the householder revealed that the company had been hired to remove and dispose of the rubbish. Despite numerous efforts, the company’s sole director failed to engage with officers, so the matter was referred to Court.
Cllr Robin Bromham, our Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations, said: “Fly-tipping is atrocious and impacts our environment and wildlife. It is outrageous that a company with a waste carrier licence would be found to be dumping rubbish on our streets and lanes. We are working to get their licence revoked.
“Our Enforcement Officers will relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who seek profit by blighting towns and country lanes of Dacorum Borough.
“Please continue to check the licenses of waste carriers, details of which can be found on the Environment Agency website.”
More information about using authorised waste carriers can be found on our fly-tipping page.
Dacorum residents can dispose of household waste free of charge at any of Hertfordshire County Council’s recycling centres or pay to use our bulky waste collection service.
We are part of the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group (HFTG), a multi-agency taskforce including various councils, Hertfordshire Constabulary, and other organizations. HFTG enhances enforcement and uses new technology to combat fly-tipping. It is also behind the award-winning #SCRAPflytipping campaign, which is used to educate residents and has been adopted by many other UK authorities.