SINCE July, Thurrock Council enforcement officers have been visiting businesses to ensure they have the correct documentation and licenses in place for disposing of their waste.
As part of the increased enforcement action through clean it, cut it, fill it, 155 businesses have so far been visited and those who can’t show officers the correct documentation are issued a notice to produce paperwork proving that they dispose of their waste responsibly within 7 days or they face a fine.
102 were issued notices and 35 businesses were later issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice – totalling £10,500 in fines. Ensuring that businesses dispose of their waste in a responsible and legally compliant manner ensures that this rubbish is not fly-tipped or disposed of via domestic and street bin collections.
Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Aaron Watkins, said: “It is important that we support our local businesses – but also make sure they are following the rules.
“Firm but fair enforcement means that everyone follows the rules and well-meaning responsible waste producers are not at a financial disadvantage to those that flout the law.
“Too often we see rubbish building up at the back of shops around the borough, causing issues for residents and other businesses. Or it is being taken away by unlicensed people and fly-tipped elsewhere in Thurrock.
“Our continuing robust action is cracking down on businesses who don’t respect the community they operate in, and the money raised is being ploughed back into front line environment services.
“By working with businesses and not against them together we can ensure streets are clean.”
For more information on the council’s clean it, cut it, fill it initiative, go to thurrock.gov.uk/cleancutfill
