HELP KEEP CARMARTHENSHIRE FREE FROM FESTIVE FLY-TIPPING

Fly-tipping Action Wales is making a fresh appeal for people in Carmarthenshire to think twice before getting rid of waste from their homes, in an early attempt to clamp down on fly-tipping over the forthcoming festive season.

The call from the Welsh Government-funded partnership of more than 50 partner agencies comes as latest fly-capture figures* show the annual clean-up cost totalled £2.2 million last year (01 April 2010 – end March 2011). According to the official figures, released by Welsh Government, 4,941 cases of fly-tipping were reported during Christmas and New Year** across Wales.

With household budgets expected to be stretched this Christmas, the partnership is calling on people to make way for Christmas gifts in their homes by getting rid of unwanted goods, such as toys or electrical equipment, responsibly. Over the Christmas and New Year period, fly-tipping levels often rise and the partnership recommends using recycling services as much as possible.

Pippa Sabine, all Wales coordinator for Fly-tipping Action Wales, said: “Fly-tipping is not only a crime, it’s a costly and un-necessary blight on our communities.

“If you’re getting rid of waste, make sure that you get rid of waste safely and legally. We always recommend using a registered waste carrier to make sure your waste doesn’t get dumped illegally. If your waste is found fly-tipped and is traced back to your home, you could be held responsible.”

With many of us buying Christmas trees for the home, Pippa Sabine explained how green waste is often over-looked as a form of fly-tipping: “Christmas trees are a natural resource and are therefore a fully compostable. Dumping Christmas trees anywhere, on common land or over your back wall is a form of fly-tipping and is a real eye sore. Make sure you take your unwanted Christmas tree to your nearest household waste site for shredding or contact your local authority for help or advice,” she added.

Fly-tipping Action Wales, a partnership of over 50 Welsh agencies including the 22 Local Authorities offers useful tips on how to get rid of waste legally and safely:

• Contact your Local Authority and be aware of your waste collection dates and Civic Amenity opening times over the bank holiday

• Recycle as much as possible including cardboard, wrapping paper (non-foil), cans and bottles.

• If you’re getting rid of large household items such as sofas, contact your local authority to find out about their bulky waste collection

• Food and green waste is compostable. Many local authorities have Christmas tree recycling schemes

• If getting rid of large amounts of waste from your home, use a registered waste carrier and ask them where they are taking your waste. They should only take it to a site that has a permit or is exempt from needing a permit. . Visit www.fly-tippingactionwales.org for details or call 08708 506 506.

For more information about fly-tipping and how to dispose of your waste legally please visit www.flytippingactionwales.org or to find registered waste carriers in your area, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk