Clampdown on Trade Waste at the Tip
A new scheme aimed at preventing trade waste being illegally dumped at Gloucestershire’s five Household Recycling Centres, is to be launched.
Despite the fact that all five Household Recycling Centres are specifically for household waste only, it is estimated that around five per cent of the rubbish deposited is in fact trade waste or waste from businesses.
This amounts to 3,300 tonnes a year and costs taxpayers in Gloucestershire £200,000 annually.
With landfill tax rising sharply, this expense could rise by a further £25,000 each year.
Under a new scheme, to be launched on October 26th, drivers of specific vehicles, including vans, pick up trucks and vehicles towing a trailer or horsebox, will have to book an appointment at the Household Recycling Centre in advance.
May Gurney, the company responsible for the operation and management of Gloucestershire’s five centres, has implemented similar schemes across the UK.
These include the London Borough of Barnet and Sandwell in the West Midlands, which have proved very successful.
As well as reducing costs for taxpayers, the new scheme will make it easier for genuine householders at the sites by reducing traffic, particularly at weekends when the Household Recycling Centres are at their busiest.
Currently the height barriers at the Hempsted site in Gloucester and Wingmoor Farm near Bishop’s Cleeve are taken down at the weekends, resulting in a large number of vans entering the premises and creating tailbacks.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment said: “We hope to make it much easier for residents wanting to dispose of their household waste.
“At the same time we think it is unfair that council taxpayers have been in effect having to pay for the illegal disposal of trade waste.
“This cannot continue. This cost should be met by the businesses concerned, which should be using licensed disposal companies.”
The introduction of the new scheme on October 26th coincides with the start of winter opening hours at the Household Recycling Centres, between 8am and 4.45pm everyday.
30 September 2008