Cambridge residents prosecuted for waste offences

Four residents and a business have been fined in Cambridge.

The residents prosecuted by Cambridge City Council all failed to meet their household waste duty of care.

This requires all residents to ensure that their waste is disposed of responsibly and in accordance with the law.

Waste was discovered dumped in:

• Cockrell Road, Arbury
• Arbury Court, Arbury
• Minerva Way, King’s Hedges
• Coldhams Lane, Romsey

In a separate case, a business has been prosecuted for failing to provide necessary waste transfer information after not paying a fixed penalty notice.

Businesses are legally required to ensure that their waste is managed responsibly, including keeping appropriate documentation and using registered waste carriers.

In all cases, those responsible were issued with fixed penalty notices as an alternative to prosecution. When they failed to pay the fines, the matters were referred to the court and they were prosecuted for the original offence.

When hiring someone to dispose of waste, residents must take reasonable steps to ensure that their waste is transferred to an authorised waste carrier, obtain a waste transfer note, and ensure that their waste is managed in a way that prevents harm to the environment.

Cambridge City Council runs the SCRAP campaign which advises residents on their household duty of care for waste to prevent them from unknowingly committing waste offences.

Residents are also encouraged to:

• Stick to using their kerbside collection, if appropriate
• Visit a local recycling point or rubbish tip
• Arrange a bulky waste collection
• Sell or donate unwanted items.

Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment:

“These cases demonstrate the importance of making sure you manage your waste responsibly. Proper waste management is not just a matter of following regulations – it's about protecting our environment and ensuring a healthy and vibrant community for all.

“The council is committed to supporting residents and businesses in understanding and meeting their waste management obligations. However, when there are failures to meet these obligations, it is the council’s duty to take action.

“Neglecting this responsibility not only impacts the environment but also poses risks to public health and community wellbeing. Everyone plays a role in keeping our community clean. By working together we can reduce environmental harm, promote responsible waste disposal, and create a safer, more welcoming environment for all.”