Waste management

The council takes enforcement against:

• fly-tipping,
• noise pollution,
• fires,
• misuse of chemicals,
• littering,
• nuisance car repairs,
• fly-posting and
• air pollution

to protect the environment and provide a pleasant and clean area in which to live, work and visit.

The council takes action against those who spoil the environment through the following teams:

• Trading Standards;
• Environmental Health.

The Banish Rubbish campaign raises awareness of the issues. Those who ignore the warnings face prosecution.

Environmental Enforcement Team

The team investigates incidents of environmental crime and prosecutes those who break the law. It deals with fly-tipping, nuisance car repairs, illegal street trading, trade waste issues and enforces the Medway Council Act 2004 (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/locact04/20040005.htm).

Everyone has a legal responsibility to dispose of waste properly. All waste must be dealt with by a registered carrier. If someone claims to be registered but you are unsure, call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and request an instant Waste Carrier Validation You can also use the Environment Agency's website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister).

Additionally, the council’s Fair Trader scheme offers a list of Trading Standards-accredited businesses, all of which have trade waste agreements, including companies that specialise in waste disposal.

Using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/Ukpga_19900043_en_1.htm) the team also enforces against people who litter. Officers can issue £80 penalty fines to people seen littering in Medway. The fine is reduced to £60 if it is paid within 10 days of being issued. They also prosecute people who fly-post.

Residents who place their rubbish out too early risk a £110 fine, reduced to £75 if paid within 10 days of being issued.

The work of the team is not just about fines. It also provides information and advice to residents and businesses on dealing with waste. For more information, please use the contact details below.

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