Sheffield City Council has launched a crackdown on traders using its five main household waste-recycling centres to dispose of commercial waste.
The authority, and contractor Veolia, which runs the centres, are tightening up checks made on people using the sites. Instead of random spot-checks, Veolia will now be checking all large vehicles, vans, trailers and lorries bringing waste to the site Residents are also being encouraged to make appointments to dispose of waste, which Sheffield hopes will have the twin effect of aiding enforcement and cutting delays at the sites.
Members of the public with larger vehicles and trailers who have not pre-booked their visit will be challenged, and will be given an advisory note explaining how to avoid difficulties in future.
The council’s head of waste management, David Bird, said: ‘Household waste sites are only licensed to take domestic waste and are being provided for the benefit of the ordinary citizen.
‘It is the duty of traders to make proper arrangements for the removal of their commercial waste, not to abuse the facilities being provided at the expense of council taxpayers.
‘In tightening up our procedures, we are anxious that the public who genuinely use these sites are not overly inconvenienced, which is why we are advising people to pre-book.’ To combat a possible rise in fly-tipping which could arise as a result of the crackdown, Sheffield’s cabinet is due to ratify an order allowing officers to use new powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
The scheme has all party backing and is due to be decided on 13 September.