Gwent-based builders' merchants Robert Price is teaming up with Fly-tipping Action Wales to offer free help and advice to all customers on waste disposal.

It follows a new fixed penalty notice introduced earlier this year, granting local authorities the power to issue £300 fines to householders which have breached their waste duty of care.

Waste that is handed over to another person or company must include checks to ensure the person collecting the waste is registered as a waste carrier with Natural Resources Wales and they should also be asked where the waste is being taken.

In a bid to help make sure its customers are aware of their waste duty of care, Robert Price has partnered with the Welsh Government initiative, Fly-tipping Action Wales.

Fly-tipping Action Wales will be holding an information drop-in at Robert Price Newport on Corporation Road on Wednesday, August 14 from 8am until around midday.

The aim is to educate tradespeople who carry waste on how to register with Natural Resources Wales and inform all customers on their duty of care.

Marketing manager at Robert Price Molly Pike said: “Fly Tipping is a serious issue and it is especially damaging in areas with environmental protection status, including the Gwent Levels near our branch in Newport.

"It’s not just these hot spots that need addressing however, as fly tipping in any area is a local nuisance. It runs down the area and causes knock on antisocial behavior, all damaging the local economy and undermining potential prosperity.

“We fully support government initiatives to tackle fly tipping.

“Our customers could face hefty fines, even when they believe they’re paying to have their trade waste disposed of properly. This is why it’s important for us to do our bit in educating people in the industry on how to meet their legal duty of care.”

Jayne Carter, senior environmental project officer at Fly-tipping Action Wales, said: “Working in partnership with Robert Price is helping to raise awareness and deliver the important message to tradespeople that having a waste carrier license and managing waste according to their duty of care, is a legal requirement. Fly-tippers could receive an unlimited fine, a custodial sentence and/or have their vehicle seized.”