Man caught fly-tipping sofas, cushions, and sheets of wood in Glasgow fined

A man from Glasgow has been fined over £2,500 after he was spotted fly-tipping sofas, cushions, and pieces of wood.

Glasgow City Council initially contacted the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) following a report of fly-tipping in Napier Terrace in August 2023.

Two men were spotted emptying two sofas, cushions and sheets of wood from a vehicle before driving off.

SEPA’s investigations identified that Shaun Dougela had rented the vehicle which had been reported for illegally dumping the waste.

Further investigation also confirmed that there was no waste management licence in place at Napier Terrace, and no Waste Carriers Licence was held by Mr Dougela.

He was invited to an interview under caution by SEPA officers in January 2024 but did not respond.

Mr Dougela was issued with a £2,615 civil penalty by Scotland’s environment regulator for fly-tipping. He was also required to pay SEPA costs of £784.70.

George Hope, unit manager in SEPA’s Enforcement Support team, said: “Fly tipping is not just an eyesore: it can cause serious harm to our environment, wildlife and communities. It places an unnecessary burden on landowners, councils and taxpayers – diverting money and resources that could be better used elsewhere, to clear it up.

“SEPA is committed to tackling this issue. As outlined in the Scottish Government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, collaboration across agencies is essential. By working more closely with local authorities, like Glasgow City Council, we can strengthen enforcement efforts, hold offenders accountable and better protect Scotland’s environment and communities from the selfish and criminal behaviour of those who fly tip waste.

“SEPA’s ability to issue VMPs is a significant addition to enforcement against fly tippers in Scotland. We will work with our local authority partners, who are the first port of call for fly tipping reports, to identify suspects and exercise our power to issue VMPs. We hope the penalty imposed on Mr Dougela, plus payment of SEPA’s costs, demonstrates our commitment to taking enforcement action – and acts as a deterrent to others.”

Councillor Laura Doherty, city convener for neighbourhood services and assets, said: “We are very pleased to have worked with SEPA to ensure this unscrupulous fly-tipper faces the consequences of his actions.

“There is no excuse for fly-tipping and this case shows where there is evidence of illegal dumping, enforcement action will be taken against those responsible.

“SEPA has access to different powers from the council and that means they have the ability to serve stiffer penalties on culprits.

“We are very grateful for SEPA’s support on this matter but also for the response from local residents, who played a crucial role in identifying the person responsible.

“This penalty notice should serve as a warning to fly-tippers that communities are fed-up of their environmental crimes and that agencies will work together to bring them to account.”