Babergh District Council’s waste experts have hit back at Government claims that local authorities are not working hard enough to prevent fly-tipping - and challenged Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw to visit its offices and see how it works.
Today (July 31), Mr Bradshaw pointed the finger of blame at councils across the country saying the majority concentrate on clearance, rather than prevention and awareness work, and don’t effectively use extra powers awarded to them.
Mr Bradshaw says this approach is costing authorities more than £2.5m a month – a cost that councils are then passing onto their Council Taxpayers.
But waste officers at Babergh have refuted these suggestions and say their approach – and their figures – speak for themselves.
“Babergh believes prevention is better than the cure and is working hard to educate our residents in all waste disposal matters,” said Jo Hart, Babergh’s Technical Officer (Waste).
“We have implemented a number of prevention, information and education initiatives in order to try and stop this particular type of anti-social behaviour.
“We would challenge Mr Bradshaw to visit us and see how we work. We can then show him that Babergh is the exact opposite of the picture he has painted.”
Between March 2004 and April 2005, Babergh recorded 343 incidences of fly-tipping in the district, at a cost of £21,035.
By the following year (March 2005 and April 2006), the number of incidences was almost unchanged at 342 but the cost had dramatically decreased by 25 per cent to £15,942.
“The message is getting through,” Ms Hart added. “In the past Babergh has specifically targeted cowboy operators who promise householders they will legally dispose of their waste – but end up dumping it.
“We have noticed more domestic and not commercial instances this year and we are currently working to stamp this out altogether.”
Some of the initiatives introduce include Babergh’s refuse hotline where the public can call for information about any type of waste problems from excess bin bags to the disposal of hazardous materials.
A bulky item refuse collection is in operation. For £20, up to five items – of which one of them can be a fridge or freezer – can be taken away for safe disposal.
A free hazardous waste collection is also up and running. Residents can call the refuse hotline to arrange collection of materials like paint, household chemicals and small amounts of asbestos.
And Babergh regularly updates its residents on how to dispose of waste correctly through information leaflets and its quarterly publication for residents of Babergh Matters!
In its latest phase of prevention work, Babergh has introduced tiny, spy cameras to be placed at fly-tipping hotspots in the district in order to catch culprits red-handed. Illegal fly-tipping carries a maximum £50,000 fine.
Ms Hart added: “Not only is fly-tipping an eyesore but it costs the taxpayer money – and we are determined to stop as much as we can.
"The main objective is to get as much evidence as possible in order to launch a prosecution - which we will do."
Anyone who would like more information on waste disposal issues, can call Babergh’s refuse hotline on freephone 0845 606 6045. ENDS
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