Lack of good data means real scale of problem is unknown

A smartphone app which lets members of the public report flytipping to a national database could be a vital tool in the war against Scotland’s illegal dumpers.

Zero Waste Scotland is calling for a better online directory to get on top of Scotland’s fly-tipping problem.

The Scottish Government-backed organisation said local authorities used different methods to keep check on illegal dumping grounds, meaning shared online tools failed to show the complete picture.

In a recently published report on fly-tipping behaviour, Zero Waste Scotland said: “The exact size of the problem of fly-tipping in Scotland is not known because comprehensive fly-tipping data does not exist.

“In addition, a large proportion of fly-tipping occurs on private land and remains largely unrecorded.”

It is estimated illegal dumping remains an issue for more than three-quarters of Scotland’s private landowners and about two-thirds of farmers. In these cases, it is the landowners’ responsibility to clean up items at their own cost and effort.

Zero Waste Scotland said: “Better data is central to fully understanding the dimension of the problem in Scotland. By mapping where incidents occur, they become easier to clear up, to prevent in future and to prosecute.”

The spokesman added: “Better data would be crucial to better understand displacement effects of successful flytipping interventions.

“Advances in technology, such as app developments for the public to feed into, might further enable improved understanding of the problem and effective countermeasures.”

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Mess and rubbish left behind on Jack Martin Way, Dundee. However, prosecution rates for fly-tipping remain low and figures for the problem are hard to find.