Fears over surge in fly-tipping in Yorkshire as councils close recycling centres

Residents in Yorkshire have been warned over a surge in fly-tipping incidents over the lockdown period.

Councils say fly-tipping is likely to see a spike, as refuse sites are closed, bin collections interrupted and the season heralds household spring cleans.

Meanwhile, the drop in traffic on the roads may also lead to more fly-tippers dumping waste on roadsides, on the basis they are less likely to be caught.

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Yorkshire & the Humber is already the second-worst region in the UK for fly-tipping, according to statistics published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), with nearly 100,000 recorded for 2018/19.

Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNSFly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS
Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS

The figure was a 13 per cent rise from the year before.

Farmers and private landowners are particularly at risk, as councils will only foot the clean-up bill for rubbish removed from public land.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has said that the closure of tips "does not excuse" dumping waste on private land and roadsides.

The CLAS's Director for the North, Dorothy Fairburn, said: “It is shocking to hear reports of fly-tipping incidents especially at this time of lock-down. The closure of tips is understandable, but can’t be used as an excuse to dump rubbish in our countryside.

Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNSFly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS
Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS
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“Local authorities don’t usually get involved with clearing incidences of fly-tipped waste from private land leaving the landowner cleaning up and footing the bill, and if not, they risk prosecution for illegal storage of waste. This is simply not right or fair.”

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Call for tougher sentences on fly-tipping following surge in Yorkshire reports

Meanwhile, landowners have been urged to ensure they are insured in the case of fly-tipping.

Rupert Wailes-Fairbairn, who is Rural Divisional Director at rural insurance company Lycetts, said: "At a time when farmers are working flat out to feed the nation ahead of the busy harvest months, they can ill-afford to contend with the costly and time-consuming burden of removing waste from their land.

Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNSFly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS
Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS

“Although the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has strengthened local authorities’ enforcement powers in recent years, the onus still lies with farmers and other private landowners to dispose of fly-tipped waste on their land. They can even be prosecuted if they fail to do so quickly enough."

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He added that farmers "should consult with their insurance broker to see what cover is afforded to them in the event of an incident".

The warning comes as North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service issues a plea for residents not to have bonfires at present, despite many councils suspending garden waste collections over the lockdown period.

Speaking at a public scrutiny meeting held remotely between the police and fire services and streamed online this week, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Foster said the service had seen a recent surge in the number of fires they were being called to in gardens and open land.

Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNSFly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS
Fly tipped waste spotted in rural Lancashire this week, as fears rise that the lockdown period will lead to an increase in rubbish on Yorkshire's roadsides. Picture: SWNS

This, he said, was down to more people gardening at home and having Spring clear outs.

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"Some (fires), unfortunately, are spreading to other buildings like sheds and garages," said Mr Foster.

"We really urge people to be careful at the moment. Please, please don't have bonfires at home in this period. We recognise that the recycling centres aren't open and the wheelie bin green waste has been suspended in some areas for a period of time, but this is impacting on our delivery by more people choosing to have bonfires."

Cllr David Renard, Environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “While household waste and recycling centres have temporarily closed, and some kerbside collections have been suspended or reduced in frequency in some areas, many council waste collection services are running as normal.

“This is testament to the hard work of councils as they try and keep waste and recycling services working as effectively as possible and to ensure the safety of the workforce delivering this key public service.

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“Fly-tipping is never acceptable and we urge people and businesses not to burn garden waste - composting or recycling it where possible is better for the environment. Burning household waste is an offence and liable to prosecution.

“Residents can help by checking for updates from their local councils and by following government guidelines on disposing of waste if they are self-isolating.”