9 most creative uses of a skip we’ve ever seen
September 16, 2022
Business waste disposal: Everything you need to know
September 26, 20229 most creative uses of a skip we’ve ever seen
September 16, 2022Business waste disposal: Everything you need to know
September 26, 2022
With so many reports of fly-tipping in Suffolk, as well as nationwide, authorities are floating plans to drive up penalties for waste crimes.
But there are already huge risks involved in improper waste management, including hefty financial penalties and even time behind bars.
In the unlikely event that committing a waste crime crosses your mind, here are some of the unpleasant consequences that could be coming your way…
1. Serious fines
Penalties for dumping waste illegally are unlimited; there have even been a few cases local to where SunSkips operates its Suffolk and Cambridge skip hire services.
A man from Woodbridge was handed a fine of almost £2,500 recently after he was caught fly-tipping around 14 tonnes of waste in Ipswich.
MORE: Ipswich skip hire: Everything you need to know including prices
Two Thetford residents were hit with £845 worth of fines for doing business with an unlicensed waste carrier that dumped their rubbish on a country lane and it was traced back to them.
| Reputable businesses can demonstrate they hold a valid waste carrier’s licence, which can be verified via the public register of accredited waste carriers (SunSkips is registered under the business name “Stowmarket Skips Ltd”). |
|---|
Authorities have suggested even harsher penalties, including higher fines and longer prison sentences.
2. Prison time
A recent case from Essex demonstrates just how seriously waste crime is taken in the UK.
The defendant was given a 14-month prison sentence for ignoring Environment Agency warnings to stop illegally importing waste and burning it.
Other similar cases in England have recently resulted in suspended sentences.
3. Wasted money
Waste crime affects more than just the perpetrators – its effects can ripple out to the entire local community and beyond.
English taxpayers forked out a whopping £11.6m to clear up fly-tipping in 2020-21, while private landowners who fall victim pay an average of £1,000 to sort it out, according to the National Rural Crime Network.
Local businesses like SunSkips that provide legitimate waste management services are also undermined by rogue traders who offer low-cost solutions by dumping waste instead of investing in recycling machinery or paying landfill taxes.
4. Health and safety
Rubbish discarded on the side of the road is often dangerous as it’s the most expensive waste to manage professionally.
This poses a threat to residents, especially children who could come across the rubbish pile, step in glass on the ground or cut themselves on sharp metal.
Hazardous waste is also risky for the waste management team who’ll have to collect it as it won’t have been properly screened or treated.
5. Environmental damage
Of course, the ultimate price for improper waste management is the impact it makes on our planet.
Waste dumped in the countryside contaminates soil, pollutes rivers and kills wildlife. Burning waste out in the open without the proper regulations in place is seriously harmful to the environment.
MORE: Why you should care about SunSkips’ commitment to sustainable waste management
Reporting waste crime to your local authority is the responsible thing to do to protect our countryside, oceans and atmosphere. You can also report incidents anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
SunSkips takes waste management seriously and can be trusted to follow all legal and environmental guidelines. Get in touch today and choose a skip hire company that does things properly and never puts their clients at risk.
