Are you looking to embark on a major spring clean of your green space? Do you want to get rid of garden waste, without falling foul of the law?
Green-fingered readers will already know how quickly green waste can accumulate, especially at this time of year, as we start getting our gardens shipshape for spring. With an increasing quantity of cuttings, clippings, trimmings and leaves filling bins to bursting point, it can be tempting to elicit the services of one of the many waste carriers you may come across when scrolling your social media. However, before booking or paying for any household or garden waste removal services, it’s essential that you check your chosen waste carrier is licensed – failing to do so could land you in court!
Earlier this year, two York residents were fined a total of £2,190 for fly-tipping offences; one of these admitted to paying an unlicensed waste carrier (found on social media) to dispose of their rubbish, which was then illegally dumped, resulting in a hefty fine of £1,020. So, if you’re a homeowner keen to get rid of green waste quickly, without a dreaded knock at the door later down the line, what steps can you take to make sure your garden waste is properly disposed of?
Check a waste carrier’s licensing status – To avoid getting caught out by rogue waste removers, you must ensure that your chosen carrier is licensed. Always ask them to provide a copy of their Waste Carrier License before you strike a deal. You can also search the Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers, which is a complete register of legally licensed waste carriers working in the UK. By following the link at the bottom of this column and entering a carrier’s business name and registration number, you’ll be able to ascertain whether or not their services are legit – you can also enter your postcode to narrow down your search, and browse a comprehensive list of legal and licensed waste carriers currently operating in and around the York area.
Sign up to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme – Another failsafe way to ensure that green waste from your household is legally and correctly disposed of is by signing up to the City of York Council’s Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, which enables people living in York to continue benefitting from the council’s garden waste collection service. This service runs for 40 weeks, starting this month and running until December, for an annual fee of £52.
Take a trip to the tip! – If you have some spare time and you’d rather do the job yourself, take a trip to the tip! Garden waste is accepted at both York household waste recycling centres, Towthorpe/Strensall HWRC and Hazel Court HWRC – please note that Hazel Court recently introduced its ‘Click Before You Tip’ scheme, to make the process even quicker and easier!
Visit www.environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers to access the Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers. Scan the QR code to learn how to register for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme.
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