Illegal dumping of waste is not so green

Shropshire Council’s environmental maintenance team are appealing for help after noticing an increase in the number of flytips where green waste is dumped, or green lanes and public footpaths are used to dispose of waste illegally. 

The out-of-the-way locations suggest that local people who know the area are using beauty spot access routes to hide their illegal activity, thinking no-one will notice. 

There have been two cases in the vicinity of Bishop’s Castle where different green lanes have had kitchen refurbishment waste dumped.  Near Marton, bedroom refurbishment waste was found in a farmer’s gateway, whilst carpets were strewn down a verge near Hopesay, Craven Arms.  In Ludlow, Dodmore Lane bridleway has had several cherry trees and other waste deposited along it. 

The latest case near Ludlow is a dismantled shed that has been flytipped, which contains asbestos.  Householders can take asbestos to the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Craven Arms for free.  However, legislation states that Shropshire Council will need to have the material analysed by a specialist laboratory to determine if the material does actually contain asbestos in order to dispose of the material correctly. 

Businesses who dispose of their waste irresponsibly have an unfair financial advantage over their competitors, endangering people and the environment. This costs taxpayers more to clean up – either through flytip clearance or unlawful use of household waste disposal routes. 

To tackle the issue, the council’s street scene team records all flytips found, including any evidence discovered within the waste.  Case investigations often involve gathering information from various sources including town centre CCTV, the police, environmental maintenance officers on patrol, and members of the public.  Public witnesses are very valuable, who can describe an incident including offenders and any vehicle that may have been involved, allowing the DVLA register to be searched for a registered keeper.  A witness’ details are not revealed unless prosecution is pursued, and the court demands the details are made public. 

There is a scale of possible outcomes for flytipping.  For the most minor case, an £80 fine called a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering can be issued for a first time offence, where a single item or sack has been deposited and there are no aggravating circumstances.  This ranges through to prosecution where, upon conviction in Court, the maximum fine of £50,000 and /or six months in prison may be given for the most severe cases of flytipping.

Councillor Martin Bennett, Shropshire Council’s deputy cabinet member, said:

“There is no excuse for anyone to be dumping their rubbish – and especially not in rural areas or non-green ways.  It amounts to sheer laziness and may require more effort than proper disposal would.  At the same time, the whole community is affected as council taxpayers end up with the bill for the clean-up operation, and if specialist help is needed it doesn’t come cheap. 

“If people have rubbish they want to dispose of but they are not sure how, then come and talk to us.  We would rather provide advice than hand out penalty fines or take dumpers to court!” 

To report a problem with flytipping, graffiti, flyposting or litter in your area, contact the environmental maintenance teams on 0345 678 9006 or alternatively report a problem online at shropshire.gov.uk/environmentmaintenance.nsf