Fly-tipping is one of the well-known problems and common occurrences along the streets of the UK due to people who ditch furniture and appliances by the side of the roads.
In this guide, you will learn about fly-tipping, its reasons, types, negative impacts, and the difference between fly-tipping and littering. We have also covered the fines and penalties imposed on the offenders and what you should do if you encounter such incidents on your property. Moreover, this article includes information related to the reporting and prevention of fly-tipping.
What is Fly-Tipping?
Fly-tipping involves the illegal dumping of waste materials on a property that does not have the required licence for dealing with it by adopting the most suitable method. Mostly, household waste is a part of fly-tipping, but it can also include construction rubbles, old cars, toxic materials, and harmful elements.
On the other hand, there can be large-scale fly-tipping incidents in which a large amount of waste is dumped from the lorries, or construction sites dump vehicles in one go.
Why Do People Fly-Tip?
People fly-tip the bulky waste materials and rubbish due to laziness and avoid disposal fees as they think garbage collection costs are an extra expense. Self-disposal of garbage at a local household recycling centre also seems costly; therefore, they find fly-tipping an easy way to escape these costs. It results in the disposal of trash on public roadways and private properties, obstructing the path for adjacent homes.
What are the Types of Fly-Tipping?
The following are the four main types of incidences which are categorised as fly-tipping:
- Waste left on the road outside of collection periods by residents or businesses.
- Dumping black garbage bags containing the waste from business or commercial premises on the street or in containers reserved for residents only.
- Large goods are left by individuals or businesses on the street without making an appointment for bulky trash collection.
- Trash collection by non-professional garbage collectors and traders who dispose of it unlawfully.
Are There Negative Impacts of Fly-Tipping?
Fly-tipping is a problem of concern as it leaves the following negative impacts:
- Makes the spaces unsightly.
- Damages the natural ecosystem conditions.
- Creates negative impacts on the environment.
- Endangers animals and humans due to the presence of sharp objects in the trash.
Littering VS. Fly-Tipping
Littering involves carelessly disposing of little objects, including cigarettes, drinks, food, etc. On the other hand, fly-tipping includes disposing of large and bulky materials or more than one garbage bag on the roadside.
Fly-Tipping – A Crime
In the UK, cleaning the fly-tipped waste almost costs £100m annually, impacting the taxpayers and private residents as they have to pay based on UK law. It is considered a crime in the UK, and penalties are imposed on the person who performs this unlawful act.
Penalties & Fines
The penalties range from spotting fines to potentially prosecuting the individual. Therefore, irresponsible waste disposal on someone else’s property results in heavier fines based on the level of crime and the individual’s history.
The government can impose a £50,000 fine on the offenders. For minor cases of fly-tipping, the courts can fine individuals from £150 to £400. However, larger fines can also be imposed on offenders and companies who repeatedly dispose of large amounts of waste illegally. In some cases, the person can be sentenced to a 12-month prison based on the court’s rulings. Moreover, the Crown Court can impose unlimited fines and a 5-year prison sentence in rare cases.
Fly Tipping on Your Property – What to Do?
If someone dumps rubbish on your property, you should immediately record some crucial things, such as fly-tipping time and location, the perpetrator’s photographs from a suitable distance, a description of the individuals or vehicles involved, and the vehicle’s registration plate number.
You should not approach the fly-tippers directly as they are performing an illegal activity, and you should also not touch the waste yourself if it is in bags or vats because there might be something unsafe to touch inside them.
As the property owner, you will be responsible for removing the waste from your premises. Therefore, you should hire licensed specialists to remove the waste or rubbish and ensure its safe disposal at the waste sites permitted by the UK Government for throwing away waste. Local bins can also be used for throwing away small amounts of waste. Otherwise, you might have to pay fines if the waste gets fly-tipped again.
How Can You Report Fly-Tipping?
You can quickly identify fly-tipping in your local area if you see black bin bags or other bulky waste dumped on the roadside or next to a local bin. It is your responsibility to report such issues to save your local community from potential road accidents, rubbish spills, and obstacles for cars on roads.
To report the fly-tipping cases, you must visit your local government’s official website, search for the page related to fly-tipping, and submit a witness report. The witness report should include information regarding the date, place and time of the fly-tipping incident, the amount of waste, and a description of the involved persons or vehicles.
You can also report this issue to the local council by visiting their website or calling them to provide the details of the waste location. The local council will pass on the details to the police, and the officers will come to the crime scene, record information from you, and handle things accordingly.
How to Prevent Fly-Tipping?
As a private property owner, you can prevent fly-tipping incidents by limiting your premises’ access with gate installation or carefully positioning obstacles, such as stones, tree trunks, and dirt bunds. Moreover, it would help if you kept the gates closed or locked all the time.
You can install lights, CCTV cameras, and security patrols to control fly-tipping and identify the offender via security cameras. You should also discuss the issue with your neighbours and ask them to stay vigilant to help you identify and catch the offender individuals.
Conclusion
A lot of fly-tipped waste can be sorted and recycled for proper and safe disposal with careful handling at a recycling centre. Therefore, as a responsible citizen, it is your responsibility not to get involved in such illegal activities. If you observe such activity, you should immediately report it. In this way, you can contribute to dealing with this problem effectively and saving the environment from the harmful impacts of careless waste disposal.