Stroud residents are being reminded that paying someone to remove unwanted rubbish does not remove their responsibility for ensuring it is disposed of lawfully. Stroud District Council is supporting Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight with advice aimed at preventing household waste from being abandoned in the district.

The council says thousands of tonnes of waste are illegally dumped every year by rogue operators offering cheap collection services. These operators may advertise through social media and online marketplaces, where a low-cost deal can appear attractive to householders trying to clear rubbish quickly.

Waste collected by rogue operators can be dumped on roadsides, in lay-bys or in the countryside. The council says this creates a cost for local communities and taxpayers, as well as leaving affected areas untidy and potentially attracting further waste.

Check a waste collector before handing over rubbish

Residents who pay someone else to take away rubbish are being asked to obtain the collector’s Waste Carrier Registration number before handing over any items. The number should then be checked on the Environment Agency’s online register.

Damion Collins, Stroud District Council’s Community Safety Manager, said the checks were intended to help residents avoid waste being dumped elsewhere.

“Your waste remains your responsibility, and a few simple checks can help prevent it ending up dumped elsewhere.”

The council says residents should be cautious when a private waste-removal offer appears unusually cheap. Using a registered waste carrier or the council’s own bulky waste service can provide greater peace of mind that unwanted items will be dealt with responsibly.

The warning applies to more than large-scale dumping. The council says fly-tipping is often associated with items such as sofas, mattresses and builders’ rubble, but smaller actions can also create mess, increase clean-up costs and affect local communities.

What to do when a litter bin is full

People are being asked not to leave rubbish beside a full litter bin or dog waste bin. The council says this can quickly create unsightly hotspots, attract pests and increase the cost of cleaning public areas.

Takeaway packaging, empty pizza boxes and other small items should be taken home if there is no available bin. Residents should report a full bin through the council’s website so that it can be emptied, rather than leaving waste on the ground or beside the container.

Litter bins must not be used to provide extra capacity for domestic waste. The council specifically warns that bin bags left beside a litter bin are also considered fly-tipping.

Charity-shop and recycling-bank donations

The council is also asking residents not to leave unwanted donations outside charity shops or recycling banks without checking first that the items can be accepted. Although such donations may be well intentioned, they can be damaged by the weather, create obstructions and leave charities with disposal costs.

Residents should speak to charity-shop staff before leaving items. If a shop cannot accept a donation, the items should be taken away rather than abandoned outside the premises or beside a recycling bank.

Bulky waste collection costs

For larger unwanted household items, Stroud District Council offers a bulky waste collection service. The service costs £25 for up to three items, while each additional item costs £5.

Residents who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support may qualify for the discounted rate of £5 for up to three items. The council presents the service as an alternative to leaving large household goods, furniture, mattresses, builders’ rubble or other waste where it does not belong.

Residents can use the Stroud District Council website to report fly-tipping, notify the council about a full bin or arrange a bulky waste collection. The council’s website address supplied with the advice is www.stroud.gov.uk.

Its message is that a few checks before disposal can help reduce illegal dumping, avoid unnecessary clean-up costs and keep the Stroud district clean, safe and welcoming.

Waste disposal advice

  • Ask a private waste collector for their Waste Carrier Registration number.
  • Check the registration on the Environment Agency’s online register before handing over rubbish.
  • Take rubbish home if a litter or dog waste bin is full and report the full bin.
  • Do not use public litter bins as extra domestic waste capacity.
  • Confirm that charity shops or recycling banks can accept donations before leaving items.
  • Consider the council’s bulky waste service for larger unwanted household items.