The council estimates that as many as 100,000 counterfeit trade refuse bags have been sold to over 200 city shops and businesses.
In Glasgow, over 4,000 letters have now been sent to businesses by the city council warning them about the scam. The fake bags were sold for 42p each by people who sometimes claimed they represented the council but the council said that its customers always received a receipt for official bags.
” This scam of using fake bin bags is costing the council tens of thousands of pounds and we are determined to stop it with the issue of completely new bags “
– Glasgow Councillor David Stevenson
Councillor David Stevenson, the council's environment protection services convenor, said: “Producing and selling these bags illegally is a criminal activity and the council are working with the police to identify and prosecute the culprits.”
New bags have now been designed and manufactured to replace the old official bags from April. Glasgow businesses will be able to exchange their official bags free of charge but the council will not accept waste in fake bags.
The council has also said that business found using fake bags could face a fine of up to 20,000 with a six month jail term.
“This scam of using fake bin bags is costing the council tens of thousands of pounds and we are determined to stop it with the issue of completely new bags,” said Cllr Stevenson, “We will not lift counterfeit bags so businesses duped by this scam are wasting their money and could be charged for illegally dumping waste.”
Other councils have experienced similar problems with trade waste bags. In 2003, Westminster city council tightened its security when it was thought that fake trade waste bags were supplied by someone within the council (see letsrecycle.com story).
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