The Council's Environmental Action Unit take action when rubbish is allowed to accumulate on private land, whether domestic or commercial. The law concerning the control of waste is complex. In general, if you produce, import, store, treat, process, transport, recycle or dispose of "controlled waste", you have a duty to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure its safe disposal.
If domestic waste is left to accumulate, it will attract pests such as birds, rats, mice, insects and even dogs or cats. If the Council thinks that any waste accumulation is 'prejudicial to health', they may serve a notice on the person responsible for the rubbish requiring them to dispose of the rubbish properly. The Council may prosecute repeat offenders.
Waste disposal, the keeping and treatment of particularly dangerous or difficult wastes is regulated by the Environment Agency. Specific Regulations are in force in the UK applicable to special waste. To find out more about which wastes fall within these specific requirements and what the requirements are, please refer to the Environment Agency www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
To report a problem or to request further information related to rubbish accumulations or hazardous waste, please use the 'Report a Problem' form or telephone Contact Oldham on 0161 770 6644.