A couple from Swindon in Wiltshire has been ordered to pay £600 after they hired an unlicensed collector who dumped their household rubbish at a bus stop. On 20 March 2026, Wiltshire Council issued the fine after items belonging to the pair were found abandoned in Avebury.
The residents had paid £50 in cash to a scrap metal collector to take away a washing machine, a tumble dryer, and several bags of household waste. Council officers traced the dumped items back to the couple, who could not provide any information about the collector or confirm if he was legally allowed to transport waste. The couple has since paid the fine in full.
This case is part of a wider effort to reduce illegal dumping, which costs the local taxpayer more than £250,000 every year. Figures show that fly-tipping incidents across the county rose by 8.4 per cent during 2025, prompting officials to warn residents that they have a legal duty to ensure their waste is handled correctly.
Authorities advise anyone looking to get rid of large items to check the Environment Agency public register to see if a business is licensed. Residents are also encouraged to write down the registration number of any vehicle used and to always ask for a formal receipt for the work.
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