Tough times for waste cowboys
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• I am responding to the article "London waste threat law" in the 23-29 January edition of Commercial Motor.
If you are in the business of carrying waste then you must be registered. All types of motor vehicles, barges, aeroplanes, even the totter with his horse and cart are included. Companies, partnerships, sole traders, owner-drivers and individuals will be registered, not the vehicle.
So whether you are a one-man jobbing builder, plumber, double glazing fitter, a company with a vast fleet of vehicles or the hirer of a vehicle, the new law applies to you.
Unregistered carriers will be forced out of business. Although the Registration of Carriers law is important an even more powerful law, The Duty of Care comes into force on 1 April. It will cast its net over the holders/producers of waste, the carriers and all the other handlers down the line, From 1 April holders will have to produce Waste Transfer Notes giving details of the haulier, the
waste and its destination.
All persons handling waste will have to ensure that they hand their waste on to another who is authorised to accept it. All parties must keep copy notes for two years. Waste Regulation Authorities can demand to see any note held by any party, and failure to comply with the Duty of Care could lead to an unlimited fine.
This is the beginning of the new environmental laws. One of the objectives is to contain waste within the waste stream from cradle to grave. Some parts of London are a mess because of illegal dumping by organised criminals and others. Londoners fork out millions a year to have it removed. Legitimate hauliers are undercut.
My advice is — get registered, Remember, the police have the power to demand your registration certificate. A £2,000 fine could mean that you don't get registered at all. Jane Smith, Enforcement Officer, London Waste Regulation Authority, London.