More people have been hit with fixed penalty notices and more than 20 face possible court action after continued fly tipping at a glass and electrical recycling centre at a Northfleet supermarket.
In August last year, Gravesham Borough Council took action including £1,000 fines and court action against 35 fly tippers identified through CCTV footage from the site at Morrison’s on Coldharbour Road.
Despite publicity around those penalties and extra warning signs at the site, since then another 37 fixed penalty notices have been issued covering fly tipping and householders failing in their duty of care to ensure their waste is disposed of responsibly.
More than 20 cases are being referred to magistrates’ court.
Despite signs making it clear only glass and small electricals can be recycled at the centre, fly tips have ranged from small amounts of household waste to tipper loads of building waste and tyres.
Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Gravesham Borough Council’s cabinet member for strategic environment, said: “Since the summer, our cameras have recorded more than 120 fly tipping offences at Coldharbour, despite the site being just two miles from the Pepperhill household waste and recycling centre.
“Our environmental enforcement team has been working hard to identify offenders and the 37 penalty notices issued since the summer won’t be the last.
“Most of the fines imposed have been paid, however those that have failed to pay the penalty will be prosecuted.”
The 20 cases heading to magistrates’ court involve both larger scale offences and failures to pay fixed penalty notices.
Cllr Mochrie-Cox warned householders to be cautious after the case of a homeowner in Gravesend who was duped by a waste carrier who collected waste from their address, but fly tipped it at the Coldharbour recycling centre.
He said: “It is a homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that their waste is disposed of lawfully. If they fail to do so, they could be the ones facing a heavy fine or prosecution.
“Fly tipping and failing to ensure waste is disposed of lawfully are criminal offences and aside from a fine, offenders could face imprisonment and a criminal record which could have a huge impact on their future.
“The behaviour of a few inconsiderate and lazy individuals is having a disproportionate effect on the law-abiding members of our community who recycle responsibly.
“It is totally unacceptable and there is never an excuse for it.
“We do not tolerate it in Gravesham. Anyone involved in fly tipping at the recycling centre or anywhere else in the borough can expect a robust response from us.”