09 March 2021

Reminder of Trade Waste drop in centre availability

Residents, businesses and commercial waste handlers are being reminded of the availability of Aberdeenshire Council trade waste drop off facilities in a bid to tackle fly tipping.

Extended drop-off services were introduced back in July last year at the council’s three waste transfer stations at Ellon, Macduff and Crow’s Nest, Banchory.

Materials accepted include cardboard, garden waste, rubble, soil, wood, plasterboard and non-recyclable waste. No pre-booking is required for dropping off waste which is accepted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7.30am to 10.30am.

However a rise in the fly-tipping of commercial waste and large-scale deposits of household items has prompted an urgent appeal from the local authority’s waste services.

While the vast majority of North-east residents and businesses continue to dispose of their waste appropriately through weekly kerbside collections, household recycling centres and licensed trade waste outlets, there are those who continue to flout the law.

Aberdeenshire Council waste manager Ros Baxter said: “There is a misconception that the introduction of a booking system at our household recycling centres is somehow to blame for fly-tipping – it is not.

“Booking simply enables any resident of Aberdeenshire to safely visit an HRC at a time of their choosing to deposit domestic waste without having to wait in queues. Similarly, our trade waste centres are easy to access for licensed waste handlers.

“The real issue in Aberdeenshire appears to be in the surge in offers from ‘man-with-a-van’-type collection services which are unlicensed, fail to register for trade waste disposal and will dump any type of waste without questioning the risks that might pose.”

Anyone dealing in with the transportation of commercial, industrial or household waste - including any waste from a house, shop, office, factory or any other trade or business premises - must register with SEPA.

If you transport somebody else’s waste yourself, you are a waste carrier and if you arrange to have somebody else’s waste carried, you are a waste broker. If you don’t register, you could face a fine of up to £5,000.

Ms Baxter continued: “It is important to remember that every resident of Aberdeenshire is responsible for their own household waste and the manner in which it is disposed.

“Before allowing any waste to be taken away, you should take a note of the vehicle registration number, ask to see a waste carrier’s licence, ask the carrier exactly which licensed facility your waste is going and be suspicious if their quoted price is too low.

“If the person taking the waste won’t grant your request, then the chances are your waste will be illegally dumped and you risk being given a fixed penalty notice as a consequence.”

If you are planning to hire a waste-carrier, you can check whether they are SEPA-registered by phoning 0300 099 6699.

Aberdeenshire Council needs proof to enforce the law on fly-tipping. If you know who dumped the items you can report them - even anonymously - with your evidence.

You should always report fly-tipping, whether you know who dumped it or not, so it can be removed. If you own the land where waste has been dumped, it’s up to you to get rid of the mess legally but Aberdeenshire Council may still wish to investigate so you should contact them.

You can report fly-tipping by calling our Wasteline on 03456 081207 or visit https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/report/report-flytipping/

For more information on our trade waste services visit: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/commercial-refuse-and-recycling-collections/business-waste-drop-off/#how