COUNCIL officials are cracking down on illegally dumping waste by carrying out regular checks on businesses.

Wokingham Borough Council will aim to give local organisations a chance to improve, but if they carry on fly-tipping then the council will look to enforce prosecution.

This comes after an increase of fly-tipping in recent months, where sites across the area has been ridden with rubbish and waste which could harm the environment.

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Localities officers will be authorised to inspect a business' waste contract and make arrangements to ensure the business has proper storage and sufficient space for the amount of waste produced, as well as collections.

Councillor Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: "Those people who chose not to dispose of their litter properly can make life a misery for the majority of people across the borough who don’t want to see litter and rubbish dumped in grass verges or in country lanes.

"I’m pleased that the council is continuing to explore all opportunities to reduce the prevalence of fly-tipping within the borough and to find ways of holding to account those that feel the need to do it.”

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is a legal requirement to safely dispose of any waste produced.

The law also applies to home-based businesses, such as garden clearances, packing, delivering, creche or child minding, small businesses, hairdressers and more.

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Examples of waste include old mail, cleaning products, food, cardboard, plastics or damaged goods which cannot be returned.

Staff at businesses across Wokingham are encouraged to make sure an up-to-date copy of their waste contract or any associated receipts for the disposal of waste to hand when the localities officer visits.