Business warned to sort waste or faces fines

Craven Council is urging businesses to ensure they have the appropriate arrangements in place for their waste disposal after complaints from its recycling processor about the high cardboard content in the recycling bins at its bring sites.

Paul Florentine, Craven Council’s waste and recycling manager, said: “This is an issue which has been on-going for two years. I would like to remind businesses that these facilities are for domestic recycling and not for commercial waste/recycling. Any waste deposited here by businesses is classed as fly-tipping. This is a serious offence which can carry a fine of up to £20,000 or an offender can even be sent to prison.

“To help clamp down we have officers inspecting the sites to identify those businesses which are using them illegally. We will take enforcement action if this problem continues to persist.”

The council operates a series of bring sites across the district that can be used to deposit recycled material.

Council leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton said the council, which provides a commercial waste collection service, would be happy to help businesses to ensure they have the correct arrangements in place.