Fly Tipping in North Somerset Is Getting Worse
It saddens us to read that fly tipping in North Somerset is once again being reported as a growing problem. Illegal waste dumping affects local residents, landowners, farmers, councils and legitimate waste clearance businesses across Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.
When rubbish is dumped in lanes, on farmland, at yard entrances or in public spaces, it does not simply disappear. Somebody has to investigate it, clear it, transport it and pay for proper disposal. This is one of the reasons responsible waste clearance and licensed waste carriers are so important in North Somerset.
The Weston Mercury Reports:
Mead Vale resident and secretary of the local action team (LAT), Dave Lock, has spotted litter and waste around the area – notably at the entrance to the Old Junction Yard, in Winterstoke Road – and has called for something to be done.
He feels a part of the problem is North Somerset Council’s permit scheme, which was introduced to reduce trade waste and the amount of vans using waste centres.
Mr Lock said: “I’ve seen so many people come in with a van wanting to get rid of a sofa or chair and other rubbish and they are asked to see a permit, but did not realise they needed one.
Rubbish at the Oly Junction Yard. Photo: Dave Lock“The permits have not been advertised well.
“People are still going in with their rubbish and then being sent away because they have not got one, and then they look for the nearest lane.
“If people want to get rid of a sofa and chair, then they cannot fit them into a car, they would have to hire a 4×4 or a van, and when you get in they ask to see a permit.
“It’s getting terrible out there day to day. The Government is not stepping up on prosecuting for fly-tipping and it’s getting worse and worse.”
A council spokesman said: “We will remove the litter around the entrance to the Old Junction Yard, but the road itself is un-adopted and litter clearance is the responsibility of the land owner. We are investigating who owns the land and will serve a notice on them to remove it.
“Since we have had the vehicle permit scheme black bag waste has reduced by around 50 tonnes per week across our three household and waste recycling centres.
“There is no doubt that commercial waste was being dumped at our household waste recycling centres and we introduced the vehicle permit scheme to make sure that the cost of commercial waste disposal does not fall on the council taxpayers of North Somerset.”
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is also urging people to take responsibility for their waste, after seeing an increase in the amount dumped on farmland.
NFU deputy president, Minette Batters, said: “Fly-tipping on private land remains a significant problem for farmers and landowners who are left frustrated when they, the victims of a crime, are left to clear up dumped waste and then made to pay to dispose of it.
“This waste is not only unsightly, it is a danger to human health, livestock and wildlife and in some cases can pollute watercourses and contaminate land.”
Why Illegal Waste Carriers Cause Problems Locally
We have our own views on why this keeps happening. One major issue is the number of unlicensed waste carriers advertising cheap clearance and waste collection services in the local area. These operators can undercut legitimate businesses because they may not be allowing for proper disposal costs, recycling charges, insurance, licensing or responsible waste handling.
A low price may look attractive to a customer at first, but if the waste is later abandoned in a lane, field, yard entrance or rural area, the true cost is passed on to someone else. That could be the council, a farmer, a private landowner or the wider local community.
What Fly Tipped Waste Often Reveals
Looking at fly tipped loads can often reveal the type of clearance they may have come from. Wooden fencing, broken timber, old sheds, bathroom suite remnants, mixed household items and general rubbish are all materials commonly found during standard clearance work. In many cases, these are exactly the sort of mixed loads that responsible waste carriers deal with properly every week.
Some materials can be separated and recycled. Wood, for example, may be directed towards suitable recycling outlets rather than being dumped. Other items may need proper disposal because they are mixed, contaminated or unsuitable for reuse. This is why a professional clearance service takes more care than simply loading a van and driving away.
Possible Causes of Local Fly Tipping
Based on the type and volume of waste often seen in fly tipping cases, there are usually a few likely explanations. In some cases, an unlicensed waste collector may have been paid to remove the items and then dumped them illegally. In other cases, the original owner may have been turned away from a recycling centre because they were using a van or trailer without the correct permit.
- Some unlicensed waste collection/carrier has been paid to remove this for a customer
- The owner of this stuff has been turned away at the recycling centre in his/her van or trailer
- The owner WILL be tracked due to the volume of this waste, persons somewhere must have seen this getting loaded into a vehicle
Whatever the reason, the result is the same. Waste is left where it should not be, and somebody else is left to deal with it. This is exactly why customers should be careful when choosing who collects rubbish, furniture, house clearance items or general waste from their property.
Use a Licensed Waste Carrier in Weston-super-Mare
We hope the person responsible for dumping waste in cases like this is caught. Fly tipping is one of the main reasons people should use a licensed waste carrier, whether that is ourselves or another properly registered local company in the North Somerset area.
A responsible waste clearance business should understand where materials can go, what can be recycled, what can be reused and what must be disposed of correctly. Proper waste disposal costs money, but it protects customers, local communities, landowners and the environment.
Responsible Waste Clearance in North Somerset
North Somerset Man and Van supports responsible rubbish removal, house clearance, furniture collection and waste clearance across Weston-super-Mare and nearby areas. We believe unwanted items should be handled properly, with reuse and recycling considered wherever practical before anything is sent for disposal.
Choosing a responsible local clearance service helps reduce fly tipping and supports businesses that operate properly. Before accepting the cheapest quote, always consider whether the person collecting your waste is licensed, insured and able to explain how your rubbish will be handled after it leaves your property.
