The Agency was inspecting vehicles to check they had a valid waste carrier’s licence. It also checked they had a required waste transfer note describing what waste they were carrying, where they picked it up and where they were taking it to.
In Bexley, the Agency stopped 21 vehicles carrying waste. It issued two fixed penalty notices for non-compliance and says it is considering further enforcement action for seven other businesses or individuals.
Fifteen vehicles were stopped in Epsom. The Agency says there were several issues with the drivers’ ‘duty of care’ paperwork, which will be followed up.
Matt Higginson, environment manager for the Agency, said: “This should serve as a warning to those who would flout the law that we and our partners are still fighting to put a stop to waste crime and we won’t hesitate to take action.
“To help avoid giving your waste to an illegal waste carrier and your waste ending up at an illegal waste site, we encourage you to ask for your waste collector’s waste carrier’s registration number and ask to see their waste transfer note, they must be able to produce both. We also encourage people to avoid paying in cash.”
Joint investigation
In Bexley, the Environment Agency carried out its road stops in partnership with London Borough of Bexley, the Met Police and Openreach.
In Epsom, Agency officers worked with Epsom and Ewell borough council and the Surrey and Sussex Road Traffic Police Unit.
Everyone involved made sure both operations were conducted with social distancing rules in place and with correct PPE, the Agency says.
The joint investigations undertaken in both locations are set to continue, the Agency says, and those responsible for carrying waste illegally could face extensive fines and even prison sentences if convicted.
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