Prison or a huge financial penalty could be the fait for those who accept waste removal from company’s that later fly-tip the goods.
There have been occasions when the collected waste has been found on borough streets, in water courses, and on open spaces.
Cold-callers are reportedly offering to remove waste for little more than £10 cash-in-hand.
Enfield Council is urging people to make sure anyone taking refuse away is legitimate.
Residents can use their blue, black and green-lidded bins, or visit Barrowell Green recycling centre, Winchmore Hill to appropriately dispose of waste. Some charities collect usable items they can re-sell, of which the British Heart Foundation is one.
Enfield Council spends around £800,000 annually on clearing away fly-tipped waste.
Central government reduced funding is forcing the council to make £50 million worth of saving by 2020/21.
This includes £21 million for 2017.
It is additional to the £131 million worth of central government enforced savings since 2010.
Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, councillor Daniel Anderson, said: “We all have a duty of care when it comes to disposing of our waste.
“So if you pay someone to take yours away, always ask to see a copy of their registered waste carrier’s certificate.
“If they can’t provide one, avoid them like the plague.
“Likewise, if someone just turns up out of the blue offering to take your rubbish away and for very little money, you should smell a rat.
“Fly-tipping is illegal and encourages further environmental crime but if we work together to build strong communities we can stamp out this appalling behaviour and help keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe.
“We all can do our bit by getting rid of waste and unwanted items responsibly and reporting those who fail to do so.”
Fixed penalty notices of £400 or, at worst, prosecution and an unlimited fine awaits those found guilty of fly-tipping.
Registered waste-collectors are listed on the Environment Agency’s website, http://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers.
Advice on recycling waste is available on http://new.enfield.gov.uk/services-and-recycling/rubbish-and-litter/fly-tipping-and-litter/.
Visit www.enfield.gov.uk to report fly-tipping
