A Perth and Kinross councillor has urged residents to ensure they use accredited waste carriers to remove their rubbish.
The Conservative councillor fears the rubbish could end up being fly-tipped if given to an unaccredited operator.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes issued the plea following a spate of local media appeals for "skip runs".
The councillor said he was "shocked" by the number of such appeals he had seen and urged caution to ensure operators carry a valid waste transfer licence.
He said: "Fly-tipping is an increasingly concerning issue that has been plaguing communities across the UK. This illegal dumping of waste can be dangerous to both the environment and public health, and can carry hefty fines if caught. To ensure that you aren’t contributing to the problem, it is important to use a registered waste carrier and check their licence, especially at this time of year."
Over the years several incidents of fly-tipping have been reported after unaccredited operators took payment to dispose of the rubbish and then dumped it illegally.
Cllr Forbes said this "can have a huge impact on the environment and local communities".
He added: "Not only does it create an eyesore, but it can also contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, and can lead to pollution, reduced air quality, and contamination of natural habitats.
"At this time of year, when people are often doing renovations or clearing their homes of clutter, it is especially important to make sure that you are using a registered waste carrier. Disposing of waste in an illegal manner will not only likely end up with a fine for the owner of the waste but it seriously damages our countryside.
"It is important to ensure that you are using a registered waste carrier when disposing of any waste. All waste carriers must be registered with SEPA and must have a waste carriers licence. It is also important to check that the waste carrier has up-to-date insurance and safety certificates."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) warned "services that sound too good to be true often are".
The SEPA spokesperson said: "Individuals and businesses getting rid of waste should not engage the services of people who are not authorised. Services that sound too good to be true often are and could lead to your waste being illegally fly-tipped or disposed of by other illegitimate means.
“Customers should ask for evidence the provider is a registered waste carrier, check their waste will be disposed of at a licensed site and require proof of disposal in the form of a legitimate waste transfer note. Failing to make these checks is a breach of legislation which leaves customers, the waste producers, also exposed to enforcement action.
"We would encourage anyone that witnesses any fly-tipping incidents to report it immediately through the Dumb Dumpers website at www.dumbdumpers.org.uk."
Perth and Kinross Council's website strongly warns residents of their legal duty of care in disposing of their waste. Failure to do so could face a hefty £40,000 fine and a prison sentence.
PKC's website states: "Every incident of fly-tipping (on council-land or on private land) results in an investigation so that evidence can be gathered and shared between Local Authorities, SEPA and Police Scotland. If someone is found guilty of fly-tipping, they can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 or face prosecution risking a fine of up to £40,000 and imprisonment."
A PKC spokesperson said: "Fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime that is also an eyesore that can cause harm to wildlife, pets and livestock at any time of the year.
"It is expensive for landowners to clear up and someone convicted for fly-tipping in court can face a fine of up to £40,000 if found guilty.
"If you are paying someone to remove waste, please make sure they have an appropriate licence from SEPA. If someone takes away your waste and then dumps it, you will be the person held responsible.
"Anyone who wants to report fly-tipping can do so via our website or by calling 01738 476476."
