I'm sure you saw the news about the fly-tipping incident in Kidlington.
150 metres of waste. Dumped in a field. National scandal.
Here's the truth: this isn't a one-off case.
Fly-tipping happens every day. All over the country.
The scale of the problem is shocking.
Did you know:
20% of all waste generated in England is illegally managed?
That's 30-40 million tonnes of waste last year alone?
The weight of 250,000 red London buses, tipped illegally across the UK?
Some crazy statistic, but the homeowners and firms generating the waste are the ones who often pay the price.
"But They Were Licensed Carriers"
I've had two clients call since Friday, worried about being caught up in the Kidlington scandal.
Both based in that area. Both panicking that their waste might be in that pile.
I reminded them: you can access your folder, anytime, containing every waste transfer note from the last few months. Every job. Full documentation.
Then they both asked the same question:
"So as long as carriers are licensed, that should prevent this, right?"
No. That's not enough.
The people who dumped 150 metres of waste at Kidlington? Probably were licensed carriers.
They just valued profit over doing it properly.
Free to dump in a field, or thousands of pounds to dispose of legally.
Easy choice for the cowboys.
That's the industry we're in.
When They Get Caught, You Pay the Fine
Here's the worst part:
When they get caught, you pay the fine. Failure in Duty of Care.
No waste transfer notes? Didn't confirm they were a licensed carrier? You're liable.
Both customers said their old suppliers were licensed too, but never gave them documentation. Just invoices.
Now there's a scandal near their sites and they're thinking: "How would I even know if that was mine?"
They wouldn't.
This isn't about finding "better" suppliers.
It's about having proof your waste went where it should go. Licensed or not. Cheap or expensive.
No access to your waste transfer notes? You're gambling with huge fines every time you hire a skip.
The £100 Skip That Costs You £50,000
Average skip hire quote: £250-300.
Someone offers you £100?
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Unless they can provide:
- Valid waste carrier license
- Waste transfer notes within 48 hours
- Full compliance documentation
- Clear audit trail
Steer clear.
Because if you just root for the cheapest option without doing due diligence, you'll be held liable when the waste gets uncovered.
And it will.
Construction Firms Are Getting Caught
We work with a lot of construction firms.
You'd be shocked to discover how many get fines in the mail months later, after using a one-off supplier whose waste was found in a fly-tip spot.
"But we hired a licensed carrier!"
Doesn't matter. No waste transfer notes = you're liable.
The fine? £400 fixed penalty. Unlimited in court.
The reputation damage? Priceless.
You Shouldn't Have to Worry About This
When there's a fly-tipping scandal on the news, you should be able to check your records and know with certainty: that's not mine.
No waste transfer notes? No audit trail?
You're gambling every time you hire a skip.