The number of flytipping incidents in England have increased for the second year running, according to the latest figures released by Defra. The total number of incidents for 2014/15 was 900,000, which is an increase from 852,000 the previous year. The incidents ranged in size from single black bag to tipper lorry load.
The latest figures reveal that the number of white goods being fly-tipped has continued to increase over the last three years, with a rise in 2014/15 of 25%. In 2012/13 the total number of incidents was 13,000, rising to 34,000 in 2013/14 and 42,000 in 2014/15.
Vikkie Fitzgerald, Clarity Environmental Project Manager, said of the increase: “Flytipping is not only unsightly, but it also puts the environment and wildlife at risk. It is extremely disappointing to see that the number of white goods being fly-tipped has risen so much in the last few years. With so many recycling sites across the country that will recycle broken or unwanted electrical goods, and reputable companies who offer collections, there is simply no excuse for irresponsible disposal of waste electricals.”
Household waste accounted for the majority of overall flytipping incidents reported this year, with commercial waste following as the second-largest waste type, with an 18% increase in incidents.
The report found that the most commonplace for flytipping was along highways, which accounted for 48% of incidents in 2014-15. There was an increase in tipping on footpaths, bridleways and back alleys, which accounted for almost 28% of incidents.
This year’s estimated clean-up costs to local authorities in England are an estimated £50m, an increase of 11%.
Until 2013/14, the trend in incidents of flytipping had been downward with the 1,285,000 incidents recorded in 2007/8 almost halving to 711,000 incidents in 2012/13. Whilst Defra cautions that the increase could in part be attributed to improvements in capturing fly-tipping incidents, Keep Britain Tidy has argued that cuts to local authority budgets could be to blame, with fewer councils offering free collection of bulky items.
Dispose of your waste responsibly. Our Recycle with Clarity initiative aims to increase the household recycling rates of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Find a site to recycle your unwanted or broken electrical goods.
