The illegal dumping of a huge amount of waste in Johnstone is being probed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
SEPA officers joined Police Scotland, Revenue Scotland and HMRC on Tuesday, February 21 for a Day of Action, carrying out inspections in the area and appealing to local residents and businesses to report instances of illegal dumping or suspected activity to help shape the ongoing investigation.
John Higgins, senior enforcement operations manager at SEPA, said: “We’re asking members of the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to us. This could be unusual vehicle movement or activity at unused sites.
“Landowners should also be alert to the risk of their land or premises being used for illegal waste deposits.
“Not only does waste crime have a serious impact on the environment, communities and legitimate businesses, but it also costs taxpayers tens of millions of pounds a year for clean-ups, avoided tax and lost revenue.
“Criminals involved are resourceful, inventive and will find new ways to break the law – especially when money is involved. But SEPA will continue to adapt as well, working closely with other agencies.
“We’re also making increased use of technologies to detect criminal activity and build the most accurate picture possible.”
Members of the public are also urged to support the fight against waste crime by stopping criminals getting their hands on waste in the first place. Households and businesses have a duty to ensure the waste they produce is disposed of legally.
While platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are often used by legitimate service providers, SEPA has noted an increase in unregistered waste carriers offering to collect household and industrial waste, usually at a reduced rate.
Mr Higgins added: “If services sound too good to be true, they probably are – and could lead to waste being illegally fly-tipped or disposed of by other illegitimate means.
“People can play their part by checking the person offering to pick up household or business waste is a registered waste carrier on SEPA’s website and that the waste will be taken to a licensed site.”
Criminals carrying out these activities face significant consequences and those caught risk a criminal conviction, a fine and imprisonment. SEPA can also issue fines of up to £40,000.
To report any suspected illegal waste disposal activity, contact SEPA in confidence 24 hours a day, seven days a week at sepa.org.uk/report or by calling 0800 80 70 60.
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