Talking trash to curb fly-tippers

Firefighters and council staff are set to talk rubbish in a bid to tackle East Kilbride’s fire-raising and fly-tipping problems.

They will be knocking on doors as part of their new joint initiative entitled Common Sense.

As well as being unsightly, rubbish and fly-tipping in common areas and closes can be a fire risk and create a health hazard.

The scheme aims to raise awareness of these problems and take sensible steps to improve our communities.

South Lanarkshire Council has joined forces with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to promote the Common Sense message.

This includes the distribution of labels to let people identify their own wheelie bins and also information posters on fire prevention and how to dispose of rubbish safely.

Representatives from the council and fire and rescue service will visit selected streets over the next month to speak to residents in their homes and offer advice.

Council representatives will provide advice on waste disposal whilst local firefighters will advise on how to reduce fires involving refuse, rubbish and fly-tipping, which can put pressure on local fire crews, taking them away from other incidents and putting lives at risk.

The initial visits will take place in Mallard Crescent,Greenhills.

The local authority use CCTV and carry out patrols to catch those responsible for fly-tipping, which carries a £200 penalty.