Working towards a fly-tipping free Wales

4 Jun 2014 04:14 PM

The Minister for Natural Resources, Alun Davies, has set out his plans to reduce fly-tipping across Wales 

During 2012/13, there were over 34,000 reported incidents of fly-tipping, which cost the Welsh taxpayer £1.9 million to clear-up. Although incidents of fly-tipping have decreased in Wales in recent years, it remains a significant and expensive problem.

The Welsh Government is taking action to reduce this costly problem and the Minister is asking people to have their say on the new draft strategy, A Fly-tipping Free Wales.

Alun Davies said:

“Fly-tipping is a crime that spoils our neighbourhoods and has a big impact on our local communities. It also poses a threat to people and wildlife as it spreads disease, pollutes the environment, contaminates soil and can make areas more liable to flooding. This is completely unacceptable.”

The new draft strategy sets out how the Welsh Government will work in partnership with organisations including Natural Resources Wales, the police, fire service, housing associations and local authorities to reduce incidences of fly-tipping.

It also proposes that the reduction in fly-tipping should be achieved through a combination of measures including business engagement, education, community action, publicity campaigns and enforcement including fines of up to £50,000 and prison sentences.  

The Minister added:

“Currently in Wales an average of four incidents of fly-tipping take place every hour of every day. The cost of clearing up this waste is staggering and this is money that could be better spent elsewhere to help improve the lives of people in Wales.

“We will do all we can to discourage and prevent fly-tipping across Wales and ensure that when people do fly-tip, they are caught and punished appropriately.”

The draft strategy sets out the actions needed to address the issue of fly-tipping against challenging timescales and progress will be reported annually.

Emyr Roberts, from Natural Resources Wales said:

“Fly-tipping affects us all – it spoils our countryside, damages our wildlife and can make areas less attractive for investment.

“It may be the actions of a few reckless individuals, but we all have a role to play in reducing this blight on our neighbourhoods.

“Everyone can do their bit by making sure they only use registered waste carriers and reporting incidents of fly-tipping to their local authority.”

Links

Draft fly-tipping strategy