Waste crime. It’s something we often hear about, in some form or another, on the news, on social media and in the papers. With many social media groups being set up for villages and towns, people are becoming more aware of waste crime issues. No matter where you live, you’ll likely have come across some form of waste crime.

From boxes of rubbish being left on street corners to waste being left on small country lanes and fields, it all falls into the same category of waste crime. In this article, we’re going to be looking at what waste crime is, what the most harmful waste types are and what you can do to combat waste crime near you. Here’s everything you need to know about Waste crime:

What is waste crime?

Waste crime refers to the illegal collection, management, incineration and general disposal of waste materials. This can include fly-tipping. Waste crime can range from simple littering on the streets (which can lead to an on-the-spot fine) to fly-tipping copious amounts of hazardous or toxic waste (which could lead to a hefty penalty or a prison sentence if caught). Waste crime also refers to other negative impacts that it can have on society, including:

Violence
Vandalism
Intimidation
Theft
Damage to the economy

Which are the most harmful types of waste crime?

The most harmful waste types that are illegally dumped are hazardous waste types. This involves waste that houses coolants, like fridges, together with asbestos, chemicals, paints, solvents and many other types of waste materials that are hazardous to human life and wildlife.

Hazardous waste needs to be dealt with responsibly by a licensed professional, such as us here at Willshee’s. We have a hazardous waste disposal service that you can make use of should you have any of the aforementioned materials that need to be disposed of. In addition, there are other types of waste generated that can also be harmful to ecosystems, human life and the planet, such as:

Scrap metal
Construction waste
Demolition waste
Vehicle parts
Tyres
Electronic equipment
White goods

What effect does waste crime have on the environment & communities?

Waste crime has many negative impacts on communities, wildlife and climate change. It has nothing positive to offer society, which is why there are so many organisations looking to combat it by putting deterrents in place, such as fines and prison sentences if caught. Usually, waste is dumped illegally in places that will largely go unnoticed, targeting the countryside and natural landscapes in the process.

As such, illegal waste disposal litters land, ponds, rivers, lakes and other natural beauty spots. This harms wildlife, marine life and even human life, especially if hazardous waste has been disposed of illegitimately. Not only does it have a harmful impact on the planet and human and animal life, but it also brings house prices down as a result of the Broken Windows Theory.

Communities become affected, not only by the drag down of house value but also by increased council taxes, put up to cover the costs of responsibly disposing of waste that has been illegally dumped. But how can we stop it? Let’s look a little closer at what we can do at home.

How to prevent the problem at home

You might be wondering what you can do to lessen the effects and instances of waste crime. With this in mind, here’s how you’ll be able to combat waste crime from the comfort of your own home:

Always ask to see a waste carrier’s license – legitimate waste management companies will operate under a waste carrier’s license. Ask to see this before giving your waste materials over
Never accept on-the-door collections – if someone knocks on your door and offers to remove your waste, politely refuse
Fill out waste transfer notes, where applicable – waste transfer notes provide a record of the waste being disposed of. Usually, the waste management company you choose will fill out a waste transfer note for you
Beware of someone offering a cheap waste disposal service – if this is the case, then be cautious. To get rid of waste properly, waste management companies incur costs, and this is passed onto the customer. This ensures waste is disposed of and handled responsibly

Willshee’s is a committed waste management company with expert knowledge and experience behind us. We can offer domestic and commercial waste management services, including skip hire, grab hire, hazardous waste disposal and more. If you would like further information about how we can help you or to learn more about our waste management services, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.