Why Fly Tipping is Bad for More Than Just an Eye Sore

Fly-tipping. We’ve all seen it. Those unsightly piles of junk dumped randomly on some roadside, field, or woodland. Sometimes, it’s just a single awkward item. An unwanted car seat, fridge, or mattress. Others, it’s enormous piles of arbitrary detritus, the contents of someone’s home and garden or business, shifted to make space. And in Leeds, we seem to have more than our fair share. We all know that we shouldn’t really do it. But do you know why fly-tipping is such a bad idea?

Five Reasons Why You Should Never Consider Fly-Tipping

The environmental impact

Fly-tipping looks terrible. There’s no argument against that. But dumped waste can be so much more than an eyesore. Where dumped items, such as refrigerators, contain toxic chemicals, they can leach into the soil, contaminating groundwater. The knock-on effect of this has the potential to be catastrophic. There’s also the potential for waste to fall into waterways, causing blockages, injuring wildlife, and contributing to the threat of flooding.

The danger to livestock

Farmland is a significant target for fly-tippers. But what many people fail to realise is that this isn’t just an inconvenience to the farmers. It can – and does – kill their livestock. Cows, sheep, and horses are curious. They can be wounded by sharp objects left on the ground. If they get tangled in or eat inappropriate items, they can die. And even if they don’t directly eat the goods dumped in their fields, the chemicals that leach into the ground from different types of waste can make it toxic for years to come.

The social impact

One of the major issues relating to fly-tipping is the spread of disease. Where there is waste, there will be pests. And whether it’s rodents or flies, most pests are great at transmitting diseases. Fly-tipping has also been linked to a reduction in tourism, and house prices, as well as poor mental health in victims.

The penalties

All council-run tips are different. They each have their own policies. In Leeds, the vast majority of what you can take to a site is free, with small disposal charges for a select group of items. These include rubble, tyres, and asbestos. And the fees start at £2.60. If you are caught fly-tipping, householders can face fines of between £400 and £3,000. If you pay someone else to dispose of your waste and they fly-tip, you can still be charged up to £400. And it’s worth noting that the fines are greater for commercial waste, for which the maximum fine is £50,000 and/or a five-year prison sentence. Which provides a pause for thought.

Your taxes

Right now, cleaning up fly-tipping costs the UK’s local authorities £11.6 million per year. This means increased council tax for everyone – including you.

What can you do to help reduce fly-tipping in your area?

Work with a reputable waste professional. The biggest problems with fly-tipping aren’t caused by individuals dropping dilapidated dining sets by the roadside. They shouldn’t be doing it. They’re contributing to an enormous problem. But they’re not the biggest offenders. That dubious honour goes to the budget clearance companies. The ones who don’t have a licence. The ones who will take your money, then dump your rubbish in a place that is convenient to them and won’t cost them a penny. Risking the environment – and risking you being fined for their actions.

So, if you have the means to move your own waste, book a slot at your local tip. If you need a hand, then contact with your local waste removal experts.

If you live in Leeds or the surrounding area, get in touch with Leeds Junk & Rubbish Removal to find out how we could solve your waste problems.