The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Flytipping expected to rise as residents charged £25 to use brown bin.
Many think fee will lead to more dumping of waste at roadside
A controversial decision to charge £25 to use a brown bin for recycling garden waste could lead to an increase in flytipping, it has been claimed.
The move, which will see permits come into effect from April 1, was agreed by Perth and Kinross Council in February last year.
Strathtay Councillor Anne Jarvis claimed the £25 payment will raise around £840,000 on the basis of 50% of residents continuing to use the service.
However, several residents are up in arms about the move, with many claiming people will not pay the permit fee and this will lead to flytipping.
A property agent in Perth, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Personally, I do not support this eco tax – we should be encouraging more recycling, not charging extra for it.
“My key concern is much wider and it relates to flytipping. Many of our clients have farms near or on the urban fringe and suffer significant tipping of garden waste already from both their neighbours and the wider public.
“I can see this charge only making matters much worse.”
Martin Hope, of Perth, added: “I do not think the council have thought through this topic as I am sure it will lead to increased flytipping and more use of the green bin for garden rubbish.”
Neil Thompson, of Stanley, said: “I fear flytipping may be the result of the extra charge for garden waste. Would it not have been easier to just put the extra cost on to the council tax bill?”
Former councillor John Kellas, of Bankfoot, previously slammed the permit move, claiming he had been “inundated” with phone calls from irate residents who don’t wish to pay the £25 for the use of the brown recycling bin.
A council spokesperson said: “In relation to flytipping, we recognise that there may be concerns and we would continue to advise residents to report instances of flytipping to us or to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
“We will investigate and take appropriate action. Where flytipping occurs on private land it is for the landowner to clear up the dumped waste.
“Other councils have already introduced a chargeable garden waste service and we’re not aware of them experiencing any increases in flytipping.
“Householders who choose not to purchase a garden waste permit can dispose of their garden waste free of charge at any of our recycling centres around Perth and Kinross.
“Grass cuttings can be left on householders’ lawns/grassed areas, as the cuttings will break down and fertilise the growing grass underneath.”