Fly tipping awareness

A TIMELY REMINDER NOT TO FLY-TIP

From time-to-time The Installer Magazine publishes articles or news items about the dangers, cost and frustrations of fly-tipping and with the topic coming up again in the media again, we thought it worthwhile revisiting the subject in consultation with our friends and BiKBBI sponsors HIPPO over the next 2 issues. BiKBBI members and other installers would do well to take in the following:

ROGUE TRADERS CAUGHT IN THE ACT

You may have seen the BBC Watchdog report all about rogue house clearance companies, if you didn’t catch it try and view it on ‘catch up’ as it’s well worth a watch, especially if you are an installer who deals with rubbish on a day-to-day basis.

As an installer, you will almost certainly be aware that it is illegal to dump any waste anywhere in the UK and it is regarded as an environmental crime and so should any business that creates rubbish that needs removing from site, but this doesn’t prevent some from thinking that they can get away with what is, let’s face it, an antisocial crime. Some get away with it but there’s always a potential to get caught, subsequently, the BBC’s Watchdog team ‘Rogue Traders’ caught a company flytipping the rubbish that they had picked up for a house clearance.

So this is how it played out …

THE WATCHDOG STING

The sting carried out by the BBC saw them phone and book a company they suspected as being a potential law-breaker to visit a fake property to pick up various items. These items should have been taken away to be resold or recycled; however, this wasn’t the case for this particular business as they had other, unscrupulous 

ideas which were about to backfire on them as little did they know that both the fridge and sofa contained hidden tracking devices. It only took a few hours for the company to dump the items but not at an official waste site, but as you probably can guess - in the middle of the countryside.

To prove that it wasn’t just a one-off action the Watchdog team set the company up again and annoyingly, they fly-tipped again!

Fly-tipping is a growing problem and sadly, I’m sure you’re aware that it isn’t just the odd rogue company that partakes. It’s taking place across the length and breadth of the UK and put simply, it’s in the main about money. Why? Because, all businesses that go to an organised tip to dispose of waste will be charged for its safe disposal and recycling; depending on the type of waste and volume the cost can run into thousands. That means a rogue trader that disposes of waste by fly tipping will be saving thousands of pounds every year and that’s why so many do it. According to the Watchdog episode 114 flytipping incidents take place every hour in England. Whilst rogue traders make money from it, each of us pay for it through elevated council tax fees as it costs vast amounts for councils to clear fly-tipped waste away each year. In 2017 alone some £58 million of council tax money was used to cover this scourge!

YOU REALLY SHOULD CARE – YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE

Many installers don’t realise that if a rogue trader does dispose of their rubbish by fly-tipping then as far as the council is concerned it’s the installer or householder that hired the company that is ultimately responsible! It is down to you to engage a reputable company like HIPPO to remove waste from a site. Councils are tackling this issue with growing seriousness and, like the Watchdog team, do sometimes trace rubbish to its source. It’s a shame this is necessary but standing up to fly tipping is everyone’s responsibility.

There are some simple steps that you can take to fight against fly-tipping and put these rogue traders out of business.

The Environment Agency issues a Waste Carrier Licence to all legal businesses that carry your rubbish away. Just ask to see it from who you hire, HIPPO or other reputable companies will be only too happy to share it with you. If they have no licence, don’t use them.

Many of these rogue businesses are unscrupulous and so never pay in cash. Credit card transactions are more secure and allow for improved tracking of any transaction.

Ask the company if it has public liability insurance. This is an important protection for you and their employees. You’d expect nothing less from a trustworthy company.

If the items cannot be sold they will all go to a tipping site; don’t be afraid to ask questions about how and where they intend to do this, you’ll find those companies that really care will be able to give you all the details of the waste and the tipping / recycling process. HIPPO boasts a 95% recycling rate and its operatives are happy to answer questions and provide information when requested.

If the price seems too good to be true then it

probably is! The Installer Magazine strongly advises its readers to obtain quotes from a few companies and if you feel that it’s a bit on the cheap side then consider that they all have to pay for wages, fuel and those tipping charges and then you will be able to take an educated view on whether the company is reputable or not. If a quote is a lot lower than others then they may well be cutting some corners somewhere. If in any doubt, don’t use them!

Another good measure to use when considering which waste removal company to employ, is to look online at the various review sites. HIPPO for instance, has a 5-star reputation through thousands of Trustpilot reviews. Check a good selection of reviews and listen to the words of genuine customers to help you make an informed choice. 

Always use a credible company, anyone who has been in the industry for a while will know the names of those they can trust. HIPPO is a national licensed carrier with longevity as it was established in 2002. Reputable companies like HIPPO are happy to be completely transparent with its customers, they operate above board and reinvest profits to remain at the forefront of innovations and standards within the waste industry.

I think it’s worth considering this … Installers often have to argue their case with homeowners where the customer has received a ridiculously low quote to fit a kitchen or bathroom from a rogue trader; they have to explain how it’s impossible to fit the kitchen to the standard they expect and why they will benefit from paying a professional more to get a professional finish. So why cast those ideals and values aside when employing a waste removal company. There’s good reason why some charge a little more than others!

Look out for another indepth article on fly-tipping in our spring issue in April.

www.hippowaste.co.uk

WHAT TO DO IF IN DOUBT

Use the government’s website to report fly-tipping and you will be taken straight to the relevant council to report it at a local level. They will be as keen as you to get rid of this activity that blights the area. Also use those review sites and make sure everyone knows of your experience.