Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence that is really damaging the environment all over the country and has a wide range of potential health hazards for anyone who lives or works in the nearby area. The only way we’re going to stop fly-tipping completely is if we all work together to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Instead of dumping waste illegally, we need to ensure that these criminals instead make the most of skip hire or other ethical waste management solutions to deal with their waste in the legal manner. Already, fly-tipping carries a fine and even the possibility of prison time, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to deter the perpetrators of these illegal activities.
Fly-tipping is actually on the increase, with more than 900 thousand incidents occurring in the UK between 2014/2015 alone. It isn’t just limited to certain areas either, with fly-tipping occurring off highways, on footpaths and even in alleyways close to residential areas.
How Does Fly-Tipping Affect You?
It’s not for nothing that fly-tipping is an illegal action. Not only does it cause an eyesore in even the most beautiful of areas, it can cause high levels of pollution wherever it goes. It can also attract pests and present a range of different health hazards for local residents and passers-by.
Even if we ignore those devastating side effects, it also costs the UK huge amounts of money every year. It’s estimated that as much as £44 million is spent on cleaning up this waste all over the country. I think we all know that this is a needless waste of money and should definitely be better off spent elsewhere!
Who Is Responsible For Fly-Tipped Waste?
Many people assume only the person dumping rubbish can get into trouble for fly-tipping, but that is not always the case. If you pay somebody to remove waste from your home or business, you still have a responsibility to make sure they are a licensed waste carrier.
Using unregistered waste collectors or extremely cheap rubbish removal services can result in waste being dumped illegally elsewhere. Local councils and the Environment Agency are increasing enforcement across the UK, with fines and prosecutions becoming more common in serious cases.
Using trusted skip hire and licensed waste removal services helps ensure waste is disposed of safely, legally and responsibly.
How Can You Help To Prevent Fly-Tipping?
There are a range of different things that you can do to prevent fly-tipping across the country. Each one of these reactions can really help, especially when it comes to cleaning up the waste and even helping to catch the perpetrators.
- Report Incidents – If you do happen to come across any fly-tipped waste, it’s important that you report it through the correct channels. You should alert your local council about any waste that is, or has been, dumped illegally. You should make sure the note down as much detail as possible, just as if you witnessed any other crime. This includes the type of waste, the amount, the day, the date and time as well as the exact location. This can really help the local authority to react to the illegal waste as quickly as possible.
- Identify People Involved – If you happen to see someone dumping illegally, don’t try to stop them. Instead, note down all the detail as previously mentioned. Try to note down what they look like, how many there are, the type of vehicle they are driving and the registration plate if you can get a clear look.
- Dispose Of Your Own Waste Property – It’s extremely important that you don’t contribute to the problem yourself. There really is no need to litter or fly-tip. Skip hire from professional firms is cheaper and more reliable than ever, and all of your waste can be quickly and ethically disposed of.
Common Causes Of Fly-Tipping In The UK
Fly-tipping often happens when waste is handed to unlicensed carriers or disposed of incorrectly. Some of the most common causes include:
- Cheap unlicensed rubbish removal services
- Illegal dumping of construction and renovation waste
- Garden waste being left on public land
- Household furniture and mattress disposal
- Businesses avoiding commercial waste disposal costs
- Lack of awareness around waste carrier licences
Using licensed skip hire and professional waste removal services helps reduce illegal dumping and ensures waste is disposed of safely and legally.
Type of Fly-Tipped Waste | Common Locations | Potential Risks |
|---|---|---|
Furniture & mattresses | Alleyways, lay-bys, pavements | Pest infestations, visual pollution |
Garden waste | Country roads, public land | Damage to wildlife and ecosystems |
Construction waste | Industrial estates, roadside areas | Hazardous materials and sharp objects |
Electrical waste | Empty land, bin areas | Chemical leakage and environmental harm |
Household rubbish | Residential streets | Health hazards and increased clean-up costs |
Reliable Skip Hire Across The UK
SkipHire UK provides licensed skip hire and waste removal services for domestic, commercial and construction waste across the UK.
Whether you are clearing household rubbish, renovating a property or disposing of garden waste, our skip hire services provide a safe and compliant alternative to illegal waste disposal.
Call 03331 501 153 to arrange reliable skip hire anywhere in the UK.