Since April of this year, 66 incidents of fly-tipping have been reported to the Council by diligent members of the public.

The quality of information provided in each case has helped to ensure the Council’s Street Scene team has reacted swiftly – from conducting initial investigations, through to the removal of the dumped waste – thereby preventing further accumulation and preserving Mid Devon’s scenic landscape.

Fly-tipping can be liquid or solid in nature and can vary in scale significantly, from a single bin bag of waste to large quantities of waste dumped from trucks. Fly-tipping is not only illegal, it poses a threat to humans and wildlife, damages our environment, and spoils our towns and countryside. More than one million incidents of fly-tipping were reported to UK Councils in 2016/17, costing £57.7 million of tax payers’ money to clean up.

There are multiple ways to dispose of waste lawfully. Private individuals can use:

• the Council’s kerbside waste collection service to recycle household waste;
• the bulky waste service for large household and electrical items which are too large for the regular waste collection;
• clinical waste collections for infectious waste such as hypodermic needles and dialysis waste;
• numerous recycling banks distributed throughout the district, or;
• any of the Devon County Council-run recycling centres for most other waste needs.

Businesses can dispose of commercial waste by using:

• the council’s commercial waste & recycling service, or;
• a private service provider that holds a Waste Carrier’s Licence.

The Street Scene team is responsible for clearing fly-tipped waste from public land. Land managers, occupiers or owners of private property are responsible for clearing and disposing of any fly-tipping found on private land. However, the team investigates all incidents of fly-tipping and will take enforcement action where appropriate, regardless of land ownership.

To make a successful prosecution, the team needs sufficient information, combined with a willingness from any witnesses to provide a written statement in line with court proceedings. Anyone convicted for fly-tipping will face hefty fines, and/or prison sentences. The same penalties also apply to the person who produced the waste. Therefore, if you’ve hired the services of a private company to dispose of your waste, it’s imperative you check that the service provider holds a valid Waste Carrier’s Licence and you’re certain that the waste will be disposed of legally. Receipts and contact details of the company used should be retained.

If you witness fly-tipping taking place on public land, useful information to record includes:

• Time and date of the incident
• A description of the person(s) dumping the waste
• A description of the vehicle(s) involved, including registration numbers
• A description of the waste dumped, including amount and type
• A photograph, providing it is safe to take one

Fly-tipping can be reported to the council via its Customer First team on 01884 255255, or online via the council’s website at middevon.gov.uk/ReportFlyTipping.

Do not try to rummage through the waste yourself to look for evidence as there may be hazardous or sharp items hidden in amongst it. The Street Scene team will carry out a thorough examination of the waste as part of their investigation.