Householders urged to dispose of refuse and bulky items responsibly this Christmas

Householders are being called on to support the battle against fly-tipping, by thinking twice about how they dispose of their rubbish this Christmas.

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn says that over the festive season, many people have more rubbish to get rid of; whether it is appliances or furniture which have been replaced, old and broken toys or wrapping paper and boxes.

“Householders whose waste is fly-tipped can be prosecuted, so if you pay someone to dispose of your rubbish, make sure they have a Waste Carriers Licence or their fly-tipping could be your responsibility.”

The CLA which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses says fly-tipping is a national disgrace that blights the countryside and needs to be tackled by penalties that better reflect the seriousness of the crime.

According to latest government figures, there were around one million fly-tipping incidents nationally, costing local authorities across the country an estimated £57 million to clear.

Ms Fairburn added: “These figures do not even include rubbish fly-tipped on private land which landowners and farmers have to clear up at their own cost. The CLA is calling on the Government to remove this liability and introduce a new scheme to allow any private landowner who did not cause or knowingly permit fly-tipping to dispose of it at a waste disposal site free of charge.”

“Prosecutions for fly-tipping are ludicrously low and we believe that seizure of vehicles must be the default penalty to send a clear signal that fly tippers will face damaging consequences if they are caught.”