Oldhamers urged to check you are using a licensed waste carrier, or you could end up in court

Date published: 02 June 2023


Oldham Council is urging people make sure their household rubbish is being taken away of by a licensed waste carrier.

The warning comes after a Stalybridge man was successfully prosecuted at Tameside Magistrates on May 22.

A door, furniture and black bin liners belonging to Jason Medhurst, of Castlehill Court, Stalybridge, were discovered dumped on Rosehey Lane, Failsworth.

The 50-year-old said he had paid someone to remove it, but didn’t check if they were a licenced waste carrier.

Medhurst pleaded guilty to a duty of care offence – failing to dispose of his waste properly – and was fined £280, with £168 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The council continually reminds people to check that the traders they are using to get rid of their household rubbish, furniture and white goods are legally registered.

“If you’ve found someone on Facebook offering to take it then you are already online, so it will take you seconds to check if they are bona fide.

“If you don’t check and your rubbish is found dumped then you could be the one facing a fine or in court.”

In three other separate cases at Tameside Magistrates Ester Prince, 35, of Rydal Walk, pleaded guilty to a duty of care offence after two bags of her waste were found on a footpath on Buller Street.

On May 22 she was fined £276, with £168 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

When Vicky Kershaw, 35 of Goya Rise appeared in court on May 22 she pleaded guilty to a duty of care offence.

Her waste was found dumped in a lay by Cop Road/Bullcote Lane.

She was fined £280 with £168 costs, with a £32 victim surcharge.

On May 18, Chelsea Tyrer, previously of Gordon Avenue, pleaded guilty to a Duty of Care offence after her waste was found in an alleyway behind her home. 

The 32-year-old, who has a previous waste offence against her name, was fined £500, with £581 costs and victim surcharge of £50.

If you have any unwanted bulky or large household items that you want picking up, then collections can be booked via Bulky Bob’s on 0161 770 6644.

Charges apply.

By using this service your furniture could be donated to a family in need.

Check waste carrier licences here

Waste and recycling can also be disposed at Arkwright Street Household Waste and Recycling Centre seven days a week.


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