A MAN has been fined after breaching the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for illegally collecting waste.

Earlier this year, it was found that a man from Mid Devon, who has not been named by authorities, had been operating an illegal waste collection service via Facebook.

This was being offered for the whole of the Devon area and included anything that people wanted to throw out that would not normally be collected as ‘black sack’ residual waste through their own waste collection service.

Once he had collected the waste, the man would then put it out as his own waste ready to be collected from his home address in Mid Devon.

Officers inspected the man’s rubbish on a waste collection day, discovered items of interest and invited him in for a formal interview under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 legislation. He admitted ‘duty of care’ waste offences and was fined £300 in total.

Cllr Neal Davey, cabinet member for waste collection and recycling at Mid Devon District Council, said: “These rogue traders are defrauding the householder and the local taxpayer.”

“It is important that all are vigilant and know the legal consequences of unlawful waste disposal.”