South Craven businesses that dump cardboard in council recycling sites are being reminded they face hefty fines if caught.

Craven District Council has seen an increase in the amount of cardboard being taken to its ‘bring’ sites during the past two years.

The sites, which are meant for the domestic recycling of glass, cans, plastic bottles, paper and light card, and as a back-up to the council’s kerbside collections, are not meant to be used by businesses, which have their own commercial collection service.

Business waste is classed as fly-tipping, and officers have now been tasked with tracking down those who are using the sites illegally.

Paul Florentine, the council’s waste and recycling manager, said it was an issue that had been going on for two years.

“I would like to remind businesses these facilities are for domestic recycling and not for commercial waste,” he said.

He added anyone caught abusing the service could be fined up to £20,000 or even sent to prison.