vSkips Tackles Local Fly Tippers

Our local rag, the Bolsover Advertiser, recently carried an article entitled Councils Winning the Battle Against Illegal Dumping. An example of what our local authority is up against could be seen just yesterday whilst out for a Sunday drive round the back lanes of Clowne.

Travelling along an otherwise scenic road we first came across two discarded freezers. In addition to being unsightly, these freezers, if manufactured before 1994, could also be harmful to the environment due to their CFC gases being released into the atmosphere. Travelling just a short distance, we came across a second example of illegal flytipping, this time a double matress abandoned on the side of the road.

This kind of anti-environmental behavior makes people who care about the countryside sick. Clearly the people involved have no social or environmental conscience. According to the Environmental Agency, flytipping costs taxpayers and private landowners up to £150 million every year to clear up. In addition to the threat to humans and wildlife, illegal dumping of waste spoils our enjoyment of the coutryside.

Flytipping also undermines legitimate waste businesses such as skip companies who are required by law to obtain licences and pay to dispose of waste safely and legally. It may seem tempting to pay a guy with a van a few quid to shift your rubbish, but how do you know where it will end up ?

Local Authorities have the power to tackle flytipping. That's why, rather than drive past the cited examples and then forget about it, we photographed the scene and then reported the incident to Bolsover District Council who were very grateful for the support. According to the person we spoke to, enforcement officers regularly patrol flytipping "hotspots" but illegal tippers often find out-of-the-way places to dump their waste. It's therefore down to residents who spot offences to report them.

Flytippers, if caught, can be charged hefty fines although Bolsover Council says this is a "complicated process". Reporting offenders after the crime will result in the council removing the waste, but it does nothing to stop flytipping from occuring in the first place. So if you see someone flytipping it helps if you can make a note, or take photographs, of those responsible, although for your safety you are advised not to approach the offenders. Remember, these people are criminals who obviously have little regard for people or their surroundings !

vSkips is taking the issue of flytipping very seriously and wishes to support local authorities in identifying and tackling offenders. We are encouraging our members, mostly keen environmentalists, to photograph and report examples of flytipping to those with the power to do something about it. We believe that by working together, councils and residents can stop this illegal activity from spoiling our countryside.

Above: Matress abandoned on the otherwise scenic Hickingwood Lane, Clowne.

Left: Fridge Freezers dumped in Gapsick Lane off Worksop Road. Spoiling the scenery and releasing harmful CFC gases into the environment.