Wandsworth residents have been warned to not be lured in by ‘cowboy’ fly tippers

The council is urging residents to turn away cold callers who knock on doors and offer a cheap deal to take away their rubbish.

The message is designed to prevent an increase of flytips on street corners caused by ‘cowboy operators’ who offer to dispose of waste cheaply but then simply dump it – leaving taxpayers to foot the clean-up bill.

The warning follows an incident today (August 19) when a huge pile of household waste was dumped on the Aldrington estate in Tooting.

If residents make the mistake of employing an unscrupulous operator and their waste is then dumped illegally – then they are jointly liable and also run the risk of prosecution.

Anyone convicted of this offence could face an unlimited fine and a jail term of up to six months.

Wandsworth Times: Wandsworth residents have been warned to not be lured in by ‘cowboy’ fly tippersWandsworth residents have been warned to not be lured in by ‘cowboy’ fly tippers

The council’s environment spokesman Cllr Steffi Sutters said: "If someone knocks on your door and offers to take away any DIY or home improvement waste or unwanted furniture that’s being stored in your front garden, then there is a good chance they will take your money, drive around the corner and simply dump it in the street or a local park.

“It’s also important to make sure that if you are employing builders to carry out works to your property that you know exactly how they’re disposing of any waste materials.”

Strict environmental protection laws prohibit the transport of waste by unregistered and unlicensed contractors.

This is to ensure that the waste is lawfully disposed of and not illegally dumped.

Residents employing a waste removal firm should always ask to see the relevant waste transfer notes to ensure it is being disposed of lawfully and they should also ask to see a waste carrier’s licence.

 Companies that offer to transport and remove waste on behalf of others must have a carrier's license issued by the Environment Agency.

For details of how to book a bulky waste collection and information on refuse and recycling collections please visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/waste. Flytips can also be reported over the phone by calling (020) 8871 8558.