DOZENS of people trying to dump rubbish at the Crowndale tip are being turned away.

For many years people have taken household waste to the tip, but since Devon County Council's new contractors — Marish and Ellis — took over on June 3, regulations governing what may and may not be dumped are being strongly enforced.

'We can't take dustbin waste,' said Mike Marish. 'It has always been the same. It's against our licence. We are not allowed to take food waste.'

Mr Marish said last weekend they turned away more than 40 people.

'But that's only a small percentage — a lot of people don't declare it,' he said.

Notices have been erected at the tip and information sheets are being handed out to patrons detailing what is not acceptable.

As well as kitchen waste, other waste deemed unacceptable include dead pets, demolition and construction waste, even from DIY jobs at home, unless in small quantities — a half ton or 12 small bags in any six month period, asbestos, trade wastes and tyres.

Possible penalties include being charged for the removal and disposing of this waste, and possible criminal charges.

Devon County Council is the authority charged with disposing of waste. Senior waste management officer Annette Dentith confirmed Mr Marish's position.

'It has always been the policy there not to accept kitchen waste,' she said. 'It's there for bulky household waste, like broken kettles, wardrobes, cookers and so on, except that the previous contractor wasn't enforcing that like the new one is.'

Waste reduction and recycling officer Kathryn Bellard of West Devon Borough Council, which is responsible for waste collection, admitted the new regime had caused a bit of a problem. But she said there was nowhere else people could dump kitchen waste and they would just have to 'double-bag' it and await the next regular collection.