A LANDSCAPE gardener says a service to dispose of green commercial waste at a council-run Worcester tip would help stop fly-tipping.
Mike Dwyer disposes of his business waste outside the city because the recycling centre in Bilford Road, Worcester, will not accept it.
He stressed he was prepared to pay to be able to dispose of green commercial waste in the city.
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The 59-year-old of Masons Drive, Blackpole, who runs Garden Craft pays to dispose of green waste at a tip in Wyre Piddle, near Pershore because his local city tip only accepts household rubbish.
He says he and other tradesmen believe there should be a service, run by the council, for commercial waste disposal within Worcester.
However, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "Household Recycling Centres within Worcestershire are provided for use by residents to dispose of their own household waste free of charge. No business waste is allowed at any facility."
Mr Dwyer has a trailer which allows him to store green waste before paying to dispose of it around once a month.
"But if I'm doing a big job I may have to go the same day but I can't drop it at Bilford Road which would be ideal.
"I even offered to pay for that. It's silly. I feel very angry about it - it's very daft."
Mr Dwyer said he does not want to be 'antagonistic' but believes the conversation with Worcestershire County Council is worth having.
He thinks a more locally-based service would reduce the carbon footprint for city traders and make fly-tipping less likely.
Previously he secured permits to get rid of commercial green waste at Bilford Road - but said he was still stopped from disposing of his rubbish by workers at the tip.
He added: "If it's that difficult to get rid of waste someone is going to put it in some farmer's gate or something. It is encouraging fly-tipping.
"We're just trying to have a conversation here so we can work it out.
It just needs a bit of rational thinking."
Cllr Jill Desayrah, who has written to the council about it, said some business people would be willing to pay for permits if it meant they could dispose of commercial waste in the city.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "If you operate any form of business, you have a legal responsibility under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other related legislation to safely contain and legally dispose of any waste produced from your business.
"If you don’t, you can be taken to court as you are committing an offence. If you are found to be disposing of your waste illegally you will be prosecuted. The maximum penalty is a fine of £50,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment in the Magistrates Court, 5 years imprisonment and unlimited fine at the Crown Court."
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