Rogue trading fly-tipper operating in the Crimond and Strichen area

Aberdeenshire Council is investigating reports of a rogue trader putting residents at risk of fines by illegally fly-tipping their waste in the Crimond and Strichen area. 

A male wearing a hi-visibility jacket has been reported going door-to-door in the Crimond area for the past two weeks offering gardening and other work, then illegally dumping the waste. It was said that they have been using a small white van featuring an orange logo of a house and the word “ultra” on the side. 

No reports were made about the person’s actions until they were witnessed dumping waste. They appear to be targeting the older generation using a story—that varied slightly from home to home—about a family issue being the reason why they need the work. 

The individual may have moved onto the Strichen area, with fly-tipped materials appearing there containing documents referencing Crimond. 

Cllr Alan Turner, Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee Chair, said: “Most businesses and individuals who would dispose of your waste are fantastic, but there are always a few who spoil it for the rest. It’s not fair to the businesses who operate legally, and it is certainly not fair to those trusting that their waste will be disposed of responsibly.  

“Our advice to residents is to only use companies or individuals that are properly registered with SEPA as waste carriers. Don’t be afraid to ask a company or individual where they normally dispose of waste before hiring them; they should be able to provide proof, with a waste transfer note, showing that they have done so responsibly and lawfully.” 

Householders have a responsibility to ensure that their waste is disposed of correctly. As such, this rogue trader is putting individuals at risk of also receiving a £500 fixed penalty notice by illegally dumping or fly-tipping residents’ waste. 

To check if a business or individual is legally registered as a waste carrier via the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) head to https://www2.sepa.org.uk/wastecarriers 

Aberdeenshire Council’s Trading Standards prevention and intervention team can also help to keep residents safe from rogue traders through its ‘Protecting our Community’ initiative. 

Vanessa Wilson, Senior Trading Standards Officer at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Doorstep callers tend to target elderly and vulnerable residents, but what we’re seeing increasingly is that everyone can be susceptible to these rogue traders. 

“Through our ‘Protecting the Community’ initiative, consumers can request various prevention tools—such as doorbell cameras, call blockers, ‘no cold calling’ stickers, and information about the Aberdeenshire Trusted Trader scheme to help protect themselves at home.”   

If you suspect someone of being a rogue trader—or find yourself confronted by uninvited doorstep sellers—contact our Trading Standards team via email at trading.standards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call 01467 537222. 

Residents can also enjoy peace of mind when it comes to seeking out reputable services by visiting the Aberdeenshire Trusted Trader scheme at https://www.trustedtrader.scot/Aberdeenshire