REVEALED: Carmarthenshire among top performing local authorities for fly-tipping prosecutions and fixed penalty notices in Wales

A publication* released last Thursday (25 February 2021) by Welsh Government and Fly-tipping Action Wales has revealed that Cardiff (473), Carmarthenshire (67) and Powys (57) are the top three performing areas for issuing fixed penalty notices to tackle fly-tipping in Wales. 

Meanwhile, the 2019-20 report, which analyses incidents recorded by local authorities between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020 only, shows that Neath Port Talbot (16), Merthyr Tydfil (7) and Blaenau Gwent (4) achieved the highest number of successful fly-tipping prosecutions — with Neath Port Talbot leading the way in enforcement for the sixth consecutive year.

A total of 23,359 waste enforcement actions (including prosecutions and fixed penalty notices, but also investigations and stop and search checks) were recorded in Wales over the twelve month period, helping to generate a 4.4% decrease in fly-tipping incidents in comparison to 2018-19 (33,542 vs. 35,076) — the lowest number on record in Wales since 2014-15 (31,713).

Powys recorded the largest annual decrease at 60%, followed by Merthyr Tydfil (36% drop in incidents), Conwy (33% less incidents) and Pembrokeshire (a 26% reduction). Meanwhile, Ceredigion recorded the lowest number of fly-tipping incidents in Wales for the second year running.

To continue efforts across Wales in the long-term fight against waste crime, Fly-tipping Action Wales is calling on Welsh homeowners to ensure that they are disposing of their excess household rubbish responsibly.

It must be noted that the report only covers the first three months of 2020. Therefore, the full effect of the coronavirus pandemic on levels of fly-tipping in Wales is still uncertain.

Neil Harrison, Fly-tipping Action Wales Programme Manager, said: “To see that fly-tipping incidents in Wales have fallen for the third year in succession is testament to the hard work and commitment of our local authorities that are tackling environmental crime on the ground. 

The official figures for April 2020 onwards are not yet available so it is too early to say for certain, based on the latest report, whether fly-tipping has increased across Wales as a result of the pandemic.

We are continuing to work closely with local authorities and wider organisations in Wales to analyse and monitor levels of fly-tipping across the country since the start of the pandemic — which will help to inform our ongoing effort to increase awareness around safe and legal waste disposal.

“Unfortunately, over 70% of fly-tipping incidents contain household waste, which is why I’d like to remind householders to protect themselves by always checking with Natural Resources Wales that the person they use to remove any excess rubbish from their homes is a registered waste carrier. Otherwise, they risk a fine of up to £300 if their waste is found fly-tipped. Householders can also be fined up to £5,000 and end up with a criminal record if taken to court”. 

Executive Board Member for Public Protection Cllr Philip Hughes said: “It’s great to see that our zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping is reflected in the number of successful fly-tipping enforcements achieved this year and we’re proud to be one of the leading local authorities when it comes to tackling fly-tipping in Wales.

“We do however recognise that fly-tipping remains a problem for Carmarthenshire, as it does across Wales, and we will continue to work hard to address the issue by raising awareness and targeting offenders.”

Fly-tipping is a serious crime. It causes considerable damage to the environment, the economy and local communities — with the consequences being up to a £50,000 fine or imprisonment for the offender.

When arranging the removal of household waste, people in Wales are required to check with Natural Resources Wales that the person or company they are using are a registered waste carrier by visiting naturalresources.wales/checkwaste or calling 03000 653000. Failure to make these appropriate checks could result in a £300 fixed penalty notice if the waste is fly-tipped.

For more information on ways to manage and dispose of your waste safely, legally and responsibly, please visit DutyofCare.wales, follow @FtAW on Twitter or search @FtAWales Facebook.