There’s no excuse for fly-tipping anywhere in Carmarthenshire – that’s the message as people are being warned not to dump their litter at community recycling sites or risk facing a fine.
Leaving any bags or other items on the floor at recycling sites is classed as fly-tipping and if residents are caught dumping their waste they can receive an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment for up to five years.
Council officers are continuously monitoring recycling sites across the county. As a result they have issued 24 fixed penalty tickets ranging from £75 to £350 since the beginning of the year to people illegally leaving their waste at the sites.
Items being dumped range from electrical goods to black bags.
Throughout the Coronavirus lockdown weekly kerbside waste and recycling collections continued alongside a paid for bulky waste collection for up to three larger items. Household Waste and Recycling centres re-opened from May 26 with an appointment only system. Appointments are readily available and residents can attend every seven days to dispose of domestic waste if required.
Executive board member for public protection, Cllr Philip Hughes, said: “We all have a responsibility to look after our county. We understand our communities are angry and frustrated by fly-tipping as are we, and we will always try and track down those responsible. It’s not only unsightly but it encourages vermin to the area.
“We understand the household waste and recycling centres were temporarily closed during COVID, however, that does not excuse this type of illegal behaviour and the centres are of course now open so there’s no excuses.
“Perhaps some residents aren’t aware that they are fly-tipping, but if bags or items are left alongside bins, regardless if they’ve been taken to a community recycling site, it is still fly tipping.
“Many people have been caught dumping litter and have faced a fine as a consequence and officers are continuing to monitor these sites across the county. Please dispose of your waste responsibly and report any fly-tipping you come across so we can investigate.”
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