Help the County in the fight against fly-tipping

FLY-TIPPING – we have all seen it; an old sofa dumped in a layby, a fridge left in a back lane or a pile of tyres spoiling our beautiful countryside.

Not only is it a crime, but it is a blight on the landscape, a threat to wildlife and it damages our environment.

There were 1516 reported incidents of fly-tipping in Carmarthenshire in 2011/12*, and probably a lot more that went unreported.

A total of 814 investigations were carried out by council environmental enforcement officers with 25 people fined or prosecuted. A further 159 warning letters were sent and 29 stop-searches carried out. Officers also conducted 35 duty of care inspections and issued five formal cautions.

This cost to taxpayers was £163,573 – money that could be better spent on other essential services, particularly in the current economic climate.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “There is no excuse for fly-tipping; the council has five waste recycling centres throughout the county for residents to dispose of their waste free of charge and we also offer a bulky waste collection service for a small charge.

“There have been instances where people have driven past their local waste recycling centre to dump their rubbish down a lane or in back street, it really makes no sense at all.”

Figures show that around two thirds of all illegally dumped waste comes from the home so residents are being urged to make sure their waste is disposed of properly, or they could be held responsible.

Cllr Jones said: “We all have a duty to get rid of our waste legally and safely. If your waste is found fly-tipped you could be fined up to £5,000.

“If you’re giving your waste away to a tradesperson, you must ask where it is going and always ask to see a waste carriers licence. This is one of the main ways you can help in the fight against fly-tipping.”

The council works with partners such as the police, the fire service and the Forestry Commission as part of Fly-tipping Action Wales to tackle the problem of fly-tipping and catch those responsible. The maximum fine is £50,000 and for more serious offences up to 12 months in prison.

“We are also asking residents to be vigilant and if they see any suspicious behaviour to please get in touch,” added Cllr Jones. “If we all work together to take responsibility for our waste and take pride in where we live, we can create a cleaner, greener and safer environment.”

For your nearest waste recycling centre or for more information on the council’s bulky waste collection service visit www.recycleforcarmarthenshire.com or call 01267 234567.

You can report fly-tipping online at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or by calling 01267 234567.

To find registered waste carriers in your area visit www.epr.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Natural Resources Wales on 0300 065 3000

*Latest official figures on Flycapture – a web-based, fly-tipping database introduced in 2004. It allows local authorities to record the number of fly-tipping incidents on public land within their area each month.