Litter team launch initiative to tackle business waste

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 12/02/2007

Officers from Bury Council’s Environmental Crime team have launched an initiative to ensure businesses are aware of the rules regarding trade waste and the importance of using licensed waste carriers to take away their rubbish.

The team have sent advice sheets and self audit questionnaires to over 250 key businesses in the Ramsbottom and Holcombe Brook areas. This information will help businesses to check that they are storing and disposing of their waste properly and not running the risk of causing litter or being targeted by cowboy waste collectors. Bosses are also being encouraged to take responsibility for the litter which comes from their shops and takeaways and provides food for the local rat population.

The initiative has been introduced because most of the businesses that have been involved in flytipping prosecution cases in the borough have not been able to demonstrate their duty of care to look after the rubbish they produce. This means that they, as well as the fly tippers can be held to account in the courts.

Councillor John Byrne Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: "It is important that not only do we work tirelessly to prosecute business offenders who are responsible for dumping waste, but that we proactively educate them to become sensitive to the environment, after all, it’s everyone’s responsibility."

Businesses are also being informed about new powers to issue £300 fixed penalties to bosses who do not comply with these duty of care rules. Whilst this keeps them out of the courts it can be an expensive mistake.

The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness about waste management and to keep the borough cleaner and healthier. This benefits all of us and tidy businesses will attract more customers.