In this blog, we will look at the rise in fly tipping since 'lockdown' and the challenges we face due to the pandemic.
The problem
Fly tipping is an unsightly and expensive problem, costing around £60million of taxpayers’ money in 2019.
Since ‘lockdown’ began, the country has witnessed the closing of ‘non-essential’ workplaces. Many Local Authority tips have been forced to close, resulting in a spike of fly tipping.
With an increased amount of people at home than usual, this has led to a rise in household waste. Resulting in added pressure on waste services. Despite a government plea, some councils have expressed they will only reopen refuse sites when protective equipment is made available for all workers – BBC.
Media articles reported a 300% increase in fly-tipping in some parts of the UK since ‘lockdown’.
Action from Local Councils
The government is working closely with councils and the waste industry to devise a plan to reopen recycling centres. A variety of Local Authorities have created rules and measures to aid the reopening of recycling centres.
The Government and Local Authorities
take fly-tipping extremely seriously, and individuals caught illegally dumping
waste will be liable to a £400 fixed penalty notice – Department for
Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs.
A DEFRA spokesperson stated: “Fly-tipping blights communities, spoils our countryside, and poses a risk to human health and the environment. We all have a role to play in keeping our environment clean and now more than ever people must work together to support their communities during this challenging time.”
Any individual can report a waste crime through: https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping
Alternatively, people can check the services available to them in their local area during this time: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Our help
In partnership with our Council customers we have developed a focused range of solutions, that will catch fly tippers in the act.
• Covert Battery-Operated CCTV can be
placed discreetly; camouflaged units blend into surroundings.
• Decoy CCTV is
indistinguishable from real CCTV and an affordable way to deter criminals and
boost security.
• CCTV signage can
provide additional security as it works as a visual deterrent.