During the coronavirus lockdown, there has been a rise in fly-tipping in some parts of the UK, according to the Countryside Alliance reporting a 300% rise in some areas following the closure of Recycling Centres. This increase in fly-tipping has put pressure on the local councils, making it challenging to maintain their everyday work and staff safety.
Fly-tipping is an illegal activity of waste dumping onto land that does not possess a license to accept it. This could be because of laziness, people deliberately avoiding calling a skip hire company, or they find higher skip hire prices. However, they should be aware that not hiring a skip for waste management can cause them a heavy penalty.
Research shows that the biggest fly-tipping issue arises from domestic waste. It harms the environment, wildlife, biodiversity, and people, as waste material can be hazardous and non-biodegradable.
Do you know what happens if you dispose of your waste illegally or if someone fly-tips on your land? Do you know how to prevent it? Please read this blog to learn about fly-tipping, its effects and solutions.
What is Illegal Waste Dumping?
It is mainly waste disposal on public and private land or into the water without a proper license from the local council. It includes the action of tossing, tipping, and leaving mattresses or TVs on the side of the road.
Illegal dumping extends to more extensive scale dumping of materials in creeks and bushland, leading to long-term environmental issues, a serious concern. RMS Skip Hire thought to round up a few things to learn about illegal dumping and its consequences on our communities.
Effects of Illegal Dumping
Costing More Expense to the Authority
A report funded by Material Focus and Environmental Services Association (ESA) has found that the waste registration system is responsible for fly-tipping across the UK, costing approximately £1 billion per year. This is increased by 53% over the last three years, with costs rising from £604 in 2015 to more than £924 million in 2018/19, according to ESA data.
Many local councils have reported spending hundreds of pounds or more each year on illegal dumping. The price is being recovered by the council rates we pay to remove waste. Just think about how that could be utilised better in your local council if you follow a proper waste management system.
You Can Get Fined For It
There is no minimum fine set out in the Environmental Protection Act. It differs from case to case and involves several other possible penalties, such as having a vehicle seized.
Environmental Impact
The negative side effect on the environment that fly-tipping causes is high. Fly tipping on farmland is common in rural areas. Soil-contaminating chemicals are dumped, which causes danger to crops. While in urban areas, fly typing can cause vermin and spread diseases.
People who fly tip always do it in places where they think no one will find it. Lakes, fields, and rivers are popular sites for illegal waste disposal. It has a significant impact on wildlife, too. Dumped items in lakes or rivers will affect the diet of marine animals. Also, the dumped waste in any water body leaches toxic chemicals into the environment and poisons plants’ natural habitat.
Household Waste
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that there were almost one million cases of fly tying in the UK between April 2019 and March 2020. This figure could be worse the following year as local authority recycling centres remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The statistics show that two-thirds of fly-tipping involved household waste. The most common volume was equivalent to a small van load, and the financial burden on the taxpayer was enormous. The data does not include fly-tipping on private land.
Where Should Your Waste Go?
The general population’s waste goes into their skip bins to be collected by the local council weekly or fortnightly. The amount of waste that goes into the skips is limited, so if you have more than what is allowed in the skip bin, you can take it to your local council. There are various skip sizes available for general waste, garden waste as well as recycling waste.
If you have significantly more waste generated from a garden clear-out or house renovation project, you can hire a cheap skip hire skip from RMS Skip depending on your waste type.
What Happens if Someone Fly-tips in Your Skip?
As per the law, you will be responsible for the waste put into your skip, which you must be vigilant about. If you doubt someone has dumped junk in your skip, you should immediately report it to your local authority.
After you complain, the investigation will begin, and after you receive the result, you will have to arrange transportation to remove the waste. Skip hire Charlton provides safe transport of skips and can also arrange loading services for you.
Advice for Residents
By law, as the waste creator, the transportation and disposal of waste are your responsibility. Failure to dispose of the trash properly or illegal waste dumping in your name can lead to heavy-duty fines of hundreds of pounds. Fake waste collectors will charge you to remove and dump your rubbish illegally, so hire a well-established skip-hire company.
How Can You Prevent Fly Tipping?
You can have closed skips that provide lockable lids to prevent fly-tipping. If your skip is open, you can add a cover to help prevent fly tipping, especially if your skip is kept on-site overnight.
If you find out someone is fly-tipping your skip, please note the date, time, place, type of waste, description of a person, and vehicle number so that you can provide accurate details when you go to a local council to file a complaint against them.
Conclusion
Fly tipping is harmful to the environment as well as to your pocket. There are simple and safe ways to manage your waste. Engaging RMS Skip Hire as your waste management company will ensure your waste is handled responsibly.
Skips are undoubtedly the ideal solution to eliminate illegal waste disposal. RMS Skip provides convenient, effective, and affordable skip-hire services. Skips are available in various sizes to suit your needs, and our experienced team is delivered to your location. We assure you that your waste is recycled in line with our recycling policy.
Call us at +44 20 8131 0044 to discuss your requirements or book your skip online.
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