Councils to blame for fly-tip epidemic
■ NOT only is fly-tipping an eyesore it pollutes the environment and becomes a danger to wildlife. Councils should take some responsibilty with regards to this scourge on society.
With the increases in council tax, surely money could be set aside to deal with this? Not everyone can afford the cost of disposing of large items, nor do they have transport to take them to the local dump. Until this changes, I’m afraid fly-tipping will continue to happen.
Sue Powell, Hove, East Sussex
■ IN my experience, the rise in flytipping is mainly due to restrictions councils have imposed on the use of local recycling/rubbish tips.
Owners of light commercial vehicles and some types of trailers are charged for dumping waste.
Surely, it must cost more for local authorities to send employees and vehicles out to clear up fly-tipped rubbish?
Councils should be promoting recycling, not making it more difficult.
Nick Hancock, Bracknell, Berks
■ Our council has reduced the size of our black bins for general waste, while swapping to a fortnightly collection.
They also refuse to collect bins if the lid isn’t closed or if they see something recyclable inside.
The recycling bins are emptied weekly, but they keep changing the rules on what can be put in them. As a result people dump rubbish bags on the street which foxes rip open.
Too many councils have lost their understanding that they exist to work for the residents.
They collect more and more council tax while providing fewer services.
Paul Sullivan, South East London
■ I applaud your campaign against fly-tipping. However, when it comes to furniture being dumped, I feel businesses selling furniture should take some of the blame.
Years ago if you purchased a new bedroom or dining room suite, the shop would take your old furniture away, often giving you a few pounds for it. Now you have to dispose of it yourself which is an added expense. So my approach would be for businesses to come and give us a hand here – take the old furniture away when we are buying new.
Carol Doust, South East London
■ The idiotic decision of some councils to introduce a monthly bin collection has increased fly-tipping tenfold.
It means that residents who have never flytipped in their lives will be forced to. The Government has to step in and let common sense prevail.
Roger Grant
Thurnscoe, South Yorks
■ It’s hardly surprising there is a flytipping epidemic in Britain when local councils don’t provide a proper rubbish removal service any more, despite increasing council tax.
J Dixon Middlesbrough
■ Angered by fly-tipping of streets, beauty spots and parks near you? Email our environment editor your pictures at nada.farhoud@mirror.co.uk