INVESTIGATION are being carried out by the Environment Agency over illegal waste burning in Christchurch following a series of incidents.

Officers from the Environment Agency have identified that landowners in the borough are receiving waste from carriers and tradesman and burning it as a means of disposal.

Such acts are illegal and the non-departmental public body has warned action will be taken.

Ed Troughton, Environment Agency waste crime engagement specialist, said: "People are aware of fly-tipping, but illegal burning is another common waste crime committed by illegal waste carriers and corner cutting tradespersons. Where burning is part of an organised, illegal, waste operation the Environment Agency will take action.

"In recent months we have investigated incidents of waste being burnt in the Christchurch area, so we want to make sure that anyone who has waste to get rid of knows how to do so safely and legally."

An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed that investigations had been carried out in relation to three incidents of illegal waste burning in the Christchurch area in recent months.

"People who dispose of waste by burning are engaging in criminal activity," said Mr Troughton. "Don’t become a victim.

"They could be unlicensed to carry your waste, setting fire to hazardous material, creating increased fire risk and a nuisance to other members of your community. They are also undercutting the businesses of legitimate waste carriers and tradespersons who pay to get rid of waste legally and they could even be committing tax fraud if they are burning waste that should be sent to landfill, where disposal is taxed by the tonne.”

Mr Troughton said there are a handful of steps residents should take when waste removal firms of tradespersons are carrying out maintenance or renovations at their home. These include:

  • Ask to see their waste carriers licence. They should be registered with the Environment Agency and be able to provide you with their licence details. You can check these online by searching ‘waste carriers public register’ or by calling the Environment Agency contact centre on 03708 506 506
  • Ask where they will be disposing of your waste. They should be taking it to a commercial waste transfer station where it will be professionally processed.
  • Get a receipt, invoice or waste transfer note for waste being removed on your behalf. Make a note yourself of the company name, contact details and vehicle registration of the person or company.
  • Do not accept unsolicited offers to dispose of waste and beware of prices that seem too good to be true. They will be. A commercial transfer station could charge up to £150 per tonne of waste.