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Fly-tipping is becoming an increasingly common issue in and around Wakefield. It turns out there were more than 3,850 cases reported between August 2023 and July 2024.
This illegal dumping of waste is not only an eyesore, but it threatens our environment, endangers public health and also costs the council hundreds of thousands of pounds each year to clear up.
What is The Cost of Fly-Tipping to Wakefield Residents?
Wakefield Council is responsible for clearing fly-tipping from public land, and with nearly 4,000 incidents reported over the past year, the cost to the taxpayer is reported to be around £200,000 annually (Wakefield Council).
This is money that could be better spent on local services, such as road maintenance and community improvements. Clearly, fly-tipping is a drain on Wakefield Council’s financial resources, but it also diverts attention from other essential council work. The clean-up efforts required after illegal dumping can take days, during which time the waste poses risks to both the environment and public safety.
Where Are The Fly-Tipping Hotspots in Wakefield?
There are certain areas in and around Wakefield that have become notorious for fly-tipping. West Street in Normanton had 47 reported cases, and St. Catherine Street in central Wakefield, which saw 37 incidents last year. So these sites are among the hardest hit in the WF postcodes.
Generally speaking, fly-tipping hotspots are a little bit more out of the way. Being out of the way makes people believe that they can get away with dumping waste unnoticed. Whilst it may be true that the tipping goes unnoticed, it’s fair to say that rubbish does not go unnoticed once it’s been dumped.
Are the Penalties for Fly-Tipping Offenders Strong Enough?
The council has been stepping up enforcement against fly-tippers, with Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) ranging from £300 to £400 issued to offenders. However, in the most severe cases, offenders can be prosecuted in court, where they could face a fine of up to £50,000 or even imprisonment.
This is enough to put many people off, but there are always going to be bad agents who will try to cut corners somewhere along the way. There are some things that can be done to make life more difficult for businesses and residents that do not follow the rules though.
What Can We Do to Tackle Fly-Tipping?
The best way to tackle fly-tipping is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are a few steps residents can take:
- Use Licensed Carriers: Always ensure anyone removing your waste is a licensed waste carrier. This is especially important if you’re dealing with large amounts of waste or bulky items.
- Report Fly-Tipping: If you see waste being illegally dumped, report it immediately to Wakefield Council. You can do this via their website or through their dedicated reporting service (Wakefield Council).
We should all take more responsibility for disposing of our rubbish in a safe and responsible manner. It’s really important to remember that if you use a company that illegally fly-tips your waste in Wakefield, you could be prosecuted. Under the law, householders are responsible for ensuring their waste is disposed of properly. If you give your waste to an unlicensed carrier and it is later fly-tipped, you can be fined up to £250. This is known as a “Duty of Care” offense, where you must take reasonable steps to ensure that anyone removing waste from your property is a registered waste carrier.
To avoid prosecution, choose a licensed waste management company or skip hire company in Wakefield and always ask to see the waste carrier’s license. You can check the licensed waste carriers in your area by visiting the environment agency website and searching the company name.
By working together as a community, we can help reduce fly-tipping in Wakefield and protect the environment for future generations. Not only will this help keep our streets clean and safe, but it will also save valuable resources that could be better used elsewhere in our district.
