An Audenshaw man who flytipped plasterboard outside the entrance to the Droylsden tip after it was rejected has been fined £1,673 including costs.

Tameside Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday (24 March) that Miles Watson, of Highfield Street, had visited the Ash Road Household Waste Recycling Centre on 12 February last year.

However, when staff told him they could not accept plasterboard as it had to be disposed of at a different location - the nearest being at Bayley Street in Stalybridge - he drove outside the premises and dumped the waste on the verge on Ash Road while shouting abuse.

Staff at the centre, which is managed by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, reported the incident to Tameside Council and provided CCTV and bodycam footage of the incident.

Mr Watson pleaded guilty in court to flytipping.

Cllr Allison Gwynne, Tameside Council Executive Member who is responsible for waste enforcement, said: “There is no excuse for flytipping. Flytipping is illegal, unacceptable and disrespectful to the local community and environment. We have officers out every day investigating flytipping and will always take action against the offenders where we find sufficient evidence.

“It’s great to see this successful result – and the offender held accountable for his actions - in court and I would like to thank the household waste recycling centre staff who supported us in investigating and collating evidence for this prosecution.”

John Wrigley, Regional Director for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: "Flytipping and abuse of our staff is unacceptable. We are pleased to see the outcome of this case as a result of the vigilance of our staff to gather evidence and the commitment of Tameside Council staff for pursuing the prosecution, a positive outcome and a reminder to all potential fly tippers that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”

To find out more about how the council deals with flytipping and how to report flytipping and/or suspected offenders, see www.tameside.gov.uk/flytipping

As of 1 July 2021, Recycle for Greater Manchester offers plasterboard containers at 12 out of 20 household waste recycling centres for residents to dispose of plasterboard safely. Click here for more information. 

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