Teesside's Scott Bros embraces government scheme to reduce illegal waste disposal

Scott Bros, a Teesside-based recycling business, has welcomed government proposals to crack down on fly-tipping.

Fly-tipping is becoming a very serious issue in the UK, with over a million cases recorded in England in 2017 alone.

Not only does fly-tipping cause severe environmental impact, including soil contamination and river blockages, but it can result in safety problems for local communities.

The vast majority of cases in the UK consist of household waste; however prosecution was only successful for one in 650 of these cases last year, which has led to the introduction of more stringent proposals from the Department of Environment, Foods and Affairs (DEFRA).

Bob Borthwick, Scott Bros’ commercial manager, said: “Fly-tipping causes numerous amounts of negative impact on the environment and these measures will go some way to dissuading people from dumping waste themselves or using an unregulated, illegal service which has no consideration of the damage their actions can have.”

DEFRA reports that the fines - which could be up to £400 for people who use an unauthorised ‘man with a van’ removing refuse rather than a private organisation with a permit - should encourage people to use authorised tradespeople, who dispose of waste legally.

The proposed penalty will attempt to clean up towns, cities and the countryside and reduce consequent clean-up costs for councils.

Scott Bros has been a leading waste haulage and skip hire business for more than 45 years, with its recycling facilities producing aggregates for the construction industry for 20 years.

Within its group of companies is Scott Bros Recycling Ltd, which since it was established in 2004 operates across Teesside and parts of the wider North East.

It works with public and private organisations for the hire of skips to dispose and recycle waste including wood, plastic, paper, plasterboard and general building waste.

Borthwick added: “The relatively low cost of skip hire is a small price to pay compared to the levels DEFRA proposes for the fines and it will ensure a larger amount of waste can be recycled whilst removing eyesores that appear across our towns and countryside.”