Council campaign aims to clampdown on flytipping

A NEW campaign to stop people illegally dumping their rubbish in Leicestershire has launched.

The #IfOnly campaign has seen councils across the city and county join forces to warn people that they face tough action if they are caught fly-tipping.

The consequences for their actions can range from a £400 fixed penalty notice to an unlimited fine, a criminal record or time in prison.

Fly-tipping is a huge problem in Leicester and across each district in the county, with councils dealing with 12,000 incidents per year.

The new campaign focuses on the stories of four characters – based on real people who have been caught fly-tipping in the past.

The examples show that people can be caught for all sorts of reasons, from putting a fridge on the pavement to dumping bags by a local recycling bank.

Residents can also be fined and prosecuted for using a dodgy trader who doesn’t have a waste licence and operates door-to-door.

Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) Cllr Mark Nickerson, said: “Plastics, waste and how we manage our unusable or unwanted rubbish is high on everyone’s agenda at the moment – everyone will have seen the images on television and across social media. So we are pleased to be part of a part of a county wide campaign, with all the councils working together, to raise the profile of fly tipping.

“The campaign posters say it all. You will be caught and we will fine you. We issued 150 fines last year so please dispose of your waste responsibly.

“At HBBC we offer a service, with a minimal charge (£15 for three items), where we will remove large items for residents, from beds and fridges to sheds. So don’t risk a £400 fine for the sake of £15. We have also recently changed our special waste collection service increasing what we accept. Both of these services should help residents with their rubbish/recycling and large scale waste.”

Local residents can book a large waste collection on Tel. 01455 238141 or visit www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/largeitem

Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m pleased that all of the Leicestershire councils are working together in partnership to tackle this issue. It’s a blight on our environment and costs tax-payers’ money to sort out.

“Deterring people from flytipping is important and we provide a number of ways for waste to be disposed. However, if your waste is dumped inappropriately, either by you or someone you’ve given it to, you can be prosecuted and get a criminal record.”

Councillor Kirk Master, assis- tant city mayor for neighbourhood services, said: “Fly-tipping is an unnecessary blight. In Leicester, we offer residents a bulk collection for domestic waste so there’s really no excuse for anyone to dump household rubbish in this way.

“Our city wardens investigate all incidents of fly-tipping and will always attempt to trace those responsible.

“This new campaign will help remind people that they have a responsibility to dispose of their waste safely and within the law, and that failure to do so could result in a hefty fine.”

People can visit the campaign website at www.lesswaste.org. uk/flytipping and follow the campaign on social media #IfOnly