A CAMPAIGN to clamp down on fly-tipping has been launched across the BCP region with the council imploring a zero-tolerance policy.

BCP Council has launched the Your Waste, Your Duty campaign to tackle fly-tipping in the community and raise awareness of the risks and penalties.

Between September 2021 and July this year, the authority and its partners at Waste Investigation Support and Enforcement (WISE) responded to more than 1,700 cases of fly-tipping.

This resulted in around 320 fines being issued. They also carried out around 826 business inspections, serving 305 fixed penalty notices to make sure correct waste agreements were implemented.

Bournemouth Echo: Fly-tipping site located behind the Dalkeith Arcade in BournemouthFly-tipping site located behind the Dalkeith Arcade in Bournemouth (Image: Newsquest)

Council and WISE officers will be on the ground throughout the year engaging with residents to offer advice, support and, where appropriate, take enforcement action.

Councillor Mark Anderson, member for environment and place, said: “We recognise that some people only associate fly-tipping with dumped rubbish in woodlands and other rural areas, but it applies to people that leave overflowing waste on the side of the roads too.

“We want to run this campaign to ensure people understand what fly-tipping is and what it means for our local environment and urban places.”  

Councillor Bobbie Dove, member for safety and regulatory services, added: “We have a zero-tolerance fly-tipping policy. No one wants to live in an area that is littered with rubbish on the streets which is why enforcement is key.”

Bournemouth Echo: A large fly-tip blocks off Ambury Lane, ChristchurchA large fly-tip blocks off Ambury Lane, Christchurch

“Business owners also have legal responsibilities to manage their commercial waste appropriately and be able to prove they have done so. If fly-tip is found and traced back, you will be held responsible.”

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures showed 2,791 fly-tipping incidents were reported to BCP Council in 2020-21, a record high.

Examples of waste related offences and fly-tipping include:

  • Leaving waste out on the road or pavement, even if outside your house.
  • Leaving waste in a layby, alleyway, next to communal or public bins.
  • Leaving waste beside your own or someone else’s bin.
  • Giving your waste to someone else to dispose of who is not authorised by the Environment Agency to carry it.