Environment Agency reveals top type of tipped trash

Tyres, asbestos and construction rubble are among the top items of commercial trash being tipped across Northern Ireland.

The latest statistics from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) reveal items from house clearances such as white goods and furniture are also among the most frequently dumped items.

Mark Cherry from NIEA’s Enforcement Branch said: “We are keen to remind all businesses, no matter how big or small, of their legal duty to dispose of their waste properly.

“It’s their rubbish and their responsibility. Even if a business pays for someone to dispose of their waste they must ensure that it is stored, treated, transported and dealt with safely and properly.

“Some commercial operators want to avoid disposal costs and so dump the material. Our advice is to always use a licensed waste carrier or use an authorised waste management facility,” Mr Cherry added.

Throughout the year NIEA visits tyre retailers to remind them that end-of-life tyres must be disposed of properly and transported by a licensed waste carrier.

“In 2017 we had 155 incidents of tyres being dumped illegally reported to NIEA. A total of 30% were left at the side of a road, 23% dumped on farmland, 14% at bonfires and 12% on commercial premises,” Mr Cherry continued.

"We assess all reports and investigate any reasonable lines of enquiry with a view to enforcement action and possible prosecution, especially when there is a significant volume or waste or a pattern of repeat offending.”

Failing to deal with waste legally can result in businesses being prosecuted where the maximum fine is £50,000 or imprisonment.

Top waste by type:

1. Tyres
2. Asbestos 
3. Construction and demolition rubble (builders rubble)
4. House clearance material (furniture, plastics, textiles)
5. White goods (Fridges, washing machines)
6. Trade waste relating to cardboard, paper, packaging.                      

Notes to editors: 

1. You can report illegal waste management to NIEA’s Environmental Crime Unit on 028 9056 9453. You can contact them anonymously or leave your details. Or email:  environmentalcrime@daera-ni.gov.uk.
2. View our fly tipping video on Youtube.
3. Check out DAERA’s list of registered waste carriers.
4. More information on duty of care. 
5. The police and authorised officers of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs may stop, search and seize vehicles used or suspected of being used for illegal waste activities, including fly-tipping.
6. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
7. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
8. All media enquiries to DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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