Fly-tip fines to increase
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• Fly-tippers are likely to face stiffer fines and prison sentences following a drive to educate magistrates and a switch to enforcing the recently introduced Environmental Protection Act.
Authorities have been using the Control of Pollution Act, which carries lower penalties. The National Association of Waste Regulation Officers has been holding training days for magistrates to educate them on the environmental costs of fly-tipping, with support from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution, the National Rivers Authority and the waste regulation authorities.
Fly-tipping is a growing problem because disposal charges are on the increase as landfill sites are filled up and replacement sites have to be sought says Paul Taylor, assistant county waste management officer with Staffordshire County Council.
"Clearly the financial incentive to dispose illegally is now greater," he warns.
County councils have a legal obligation to licence and police the disposal of waste.