Could permits cut tipping – or make it even worse?

Could a permit scheme be an effective solution?

They have been introduced at waste tips across Perthshire to control the type of rubbish being dumped.

However, officers are worried this could actually lead to an increase in fly-tipping, as van drivers without a permit are turned away.

A report by waste service chiefs at Perth and Kinross Council said: “Following reports of unauthorised disposal of waste by businesses from site operatives at recycling centres, a comprehensive survey of all vehicle movements at Friarton Recycling Centre was undertaken.

“The survey concluded that a considerable quantity of commercial waste was being illegally deposited.

“Based on the findings of the survey, it was estimated the total of unpaid disposal charges across the council’s recycling centres could be in the region of £75,000 per year.”

A similar permit scheme at Fife Council charges businesses £450 to dump commercial and green waste for up to six months.

Brian Robertson, service manager of commercial and waste transfer operations said: “We’re analysing the needs of our customers and residents as well as trying to reduce the number of people, or businesses, abusing the current system.

“We’ll continue to monitor the use of the recycling centres and liaise with other local authorities to understand and identify good practice and areas for improvement.”

He added: “Until the full options appraisal has been completed and considered, the current trade permit system will continue.

“We’re adopting a more proactive approach to identify commercial organisations that falsely claim to be disposing of household waste in partnership with Fife Council.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “At its meeting of September 2016, the neighbourhood services committee agreed to continue a ban on commercial vehicles depositing waste at Riverside and Baldovie household waste recycling centres, first introduced in 2011 and introduce a resident van permitting system.

“The centres make a significant contribution to Dundee’s recycling targets, with 47% of the waste taken there being recycled.”

An Angus Council spokesman added: “While we do not have a household waste permit scheme in place at this time, we will watch the initiatives in Dundee and Perth with interest.”