Businesses illegally dumping trade waste at Foss Islands Household Waste Site could face a £20,000 fine and/or a six month jail sentence, following a clamp down by City of York Council.

Local residents can dispose of bulky rubbish and take materials for recycling and composting free of charge to the site, but businesses have to pay a charge for trade waste.

City of York Council is working in partnership with its waste management company, Yorwaste, and the Environment Agency to clamp down on rogue businesses, who are dumping trade waste at the household site to avoid the charge.

A strict management regime is being introduced and people who are suspected of bringing trade waste for illegal disposal will be challenged. Advice and information on how to dispose of trade waste will be available and failure to comply could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000 and/or up to a six-month jail sentence.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's acting executive member for the environment, said: "The illegal dumping of trade waste at household waste sites is a national problem, particularly as the cost of disposing of this type of waste continues to escalate.

"The misuse of household waste sites has an impact on everybody, from the council taxpayers who have to foot the bill for dealing with the illegally disposed trade waste to companies who dispose of their waste in the correct manner and are therefore being put at a disadvantage to those businesses who dispose of their waste illegally.

"We are taking a firm stance against all traders that misuse the site and are determined that new enforcement measures will prevent the illegal disposal of trade waste." Trade waste can be disposed of on week days between 8.00am and 4.30pm. Further information and advice can be obtained by calling 01904 636000.