Four residents and a business have been prosecuted after committing waste offences in Cambridge.
The residents prosecuted all failed to meet their household waste duty of care, which requires all residents to ensure that their waste is disposed of responsibly and in accordance with the law.
Waste was discovered dumped in:
- Cockrell Road, Arbury
- Arbury Court, Arbury
- Minerva Way, King’s Hedges
- Coldham's Lane, Romsey
When hiring someone to dispose of waste, residents must take reasonable steps to ensure that their waste is transferred to an authorised waste carrier, obtain a waste transfer note, and ensure that their waste is managed in a way that prevents harm to the environment. The council runs the SCRAP campaign which advises residents on their household duty of care for waste to prevent them from unknowingly committing waste offences.
Residents might prefer to:
- stick to using their kerbside collection, if appropriate
- visit a local recycling point or rubbish tip
- arrange a bulky waste collection
- sell or donate unwanted items.
In a separate case, a business has been prosecuted for failing to provide necessary waste transfer information after not paying a fixed penalty notice. Businesses are legally required to ensure that their waste is managed responsibly, including keeping appropriate documentation and using registered waste carriers.
In all cases, those responsible were issued with fixed penalty notices as an alternative to prosecution. When they failed to pay the fines, the matters were referred to the court and they were prosecuted for the original offence.
In two of the household waste duty of care cases where no plea was entered, the residents were fined a combined total of £2059.82. In the two other household cases where a guilty plea was entered, the residents were fined a combined total of £508. The business did not enter a plea and was fined £1321.30.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment said, “These cases demonstrate the importance of making sure you manage your waste responsibly. Proper waste management is not just a matter of following regulations – it's about protecting our environment and ensuring a healthy and vibrant community for all.
“The council is committed to supporting residents and businesses in understanding and meeting their waste management obligations. However, when there are failures to meet these obligations, it is the council’s duty to take action.
“Neglecting this responsibility not only impacts the environment but also poses risks to public health and community wellbeing. Everyone plays a role in keeping our community clean. By working together we can reduce environmental harm, promote responsible waste disposal, and create a safer, more welcoming environment for all.”
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