When you think of fly tipping what image comes into your head? For many it may be a mattress dumped at the side of a road or an abandoned fridge freezer. Here at Kingdom Local Authority Support we have helped over 20 local authorities tackle their fly tipping problems and along the way we have seen a huge array of items that have been illegally disposed of. From the ridiculous to the very unsafe and hazardous…we have seen it all!
Some of the most common items that we have seen fly tipped is building waste. This includes but isn’t limited to rubble, bricks, plaster, carpets, and wiring. Some of this waste can be difficult to remove due to the sheer weight and volume of it but some items such as raw building materials can also cause permanent damage to the green spaces where they are so often left.
What is more concerning for us is when this building waste contains asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was widely used in construction until the late 1990s. It has come to light in recent years that when inhaled over long periods of time, asbestos fibres become trapped in the body and cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestos waste MUST be disposed of by specialists, but many choose to ignore this important safety advice and dump the waste, making it dangerous to both communities and wildlife. In 2016-2017 there were 270 reported cases of asbestos fly tipping in Wales alone, so you can just imagine the true scale of the problem.
Another item which we have found fly tipped that is a true horror to uncover is meat waste. This could come from households or from retailers or butchers and it is a very unpleasant thing to have in local green spaces or community areas for a number of reasons. The smell can attract a number of pests such as flies and rats plus it can be a health hazard to any animals, be them domestic or wild, who come across it. It can cause huge impacts on eco systems and is something that may not seem ‘that bad’ on the surface but can cause huge problems.
Other items which we commonly find at fly tips include sofas, mattresses, large furniture, and fridge freezers. Research shows that the reason these items are usually fly tipped is because they require more planning to dispose of in the correct way as they are too big for general household waste. This items aren’t necessarily a hazard to health, but they can come at a hefty cost for councils and local authorities when it comes to removing them. They are also very unsightly and can reduce public opinion about certain areas.
If you are struggling preventing fly tipping in your local area, then why not get in touch with us today to understand more about the range of products and services that we can help you with. As one of the leading fly tipping prevention service providers in the U.K can you afford not to? Get in contact with our Solutions Director now – John.Roberts@lasupport.co.uk