HOUSEHOLDERS in Torridge who ignore ‘duty of care’ for waste disposal could face new fines of £300.

Torridge District Council (TDC) have approved the adoption of powers to issue fixed penalty notices for homeowners who breach their duty of care.

This means that householder’s need to take reasonable measures to ensure that someone accepting their waste is authorised to do so.  

If a householder’s waste is fly-tipped, by them or by someone else they pay to take the waste away, they could now face a £300 fine.

The council is advising householders of their responsibilities to help them choose a legitimate waste carrier and ensure their waste is responsibly disposed of. The advice is to always use a registered waste carrier to collect their rubbish.

Householders can now be issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice — reduced to £180 if paid within ten days — if they pass their domestic waste onto a third party, who then dumps the items. 

Torridge District Council provide a bulky waste collection service. Details can be found at www.torridge.gov.uk/bulkyitems