Salford City Council and an environmental charity have launched a new campaign to tackle fly-tipping and encourage residents to report illegal waste dumping.
The council has teamed up with Keep Britain Tidy to introduce a two-week crackdown on rogue ‘white van’ operators who are costing taxpayers money by leaving large quantities of rubbish on streets, fields and in public spaces.
‘Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight’ aims to help Salfordians protect their communities from the crime by highlighting how to use licensed waste carriers and dispose of rubbish legally.
Fly-tipping costs councils across England millions of pounds every year in clean-up costs, draining money that could otherwise be spent on essential local services.
In Salford, the council cleared up a total of 7,610 incidents in the past year, an increase of 15%, costing local taxpayers more than £400,000.
Using the hashtag #RubbishDeal, the social media campaign will help residents spot illegal waste operators offering cheap, unlicensed disposal services online.
Salford City Council is supporting Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight with a social media campaign, calling on households to take three simple steps to avoid a #RubbishDeal.
They are urging Salford residents to ask for a waste carrier number, check the operator on the Environment Agency’s Public Register and ask if you will be given a receipt after using the service.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council said: “Fly-tipping has a real impact in Salford and is a deep source of frustration.
“Not only is it a blight on our local environment, with everything from waste piling up near bin collection points and back alleyways to rubbish dumped in green spaces, it costs taxpayers thousands in clear up costs – money that could otherwise be spent on essential services such as care for the elderly and vulnerable children.
“Our teams work tirelessly to tackle the problem, but we need our community’s help to stop it at the source. We’re asking people to check who they pay to take rubbish away.
“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is – and sadly it’s our residents and communities who ultimately pay the price.”
Dr. Anna Scott, Director of Services at Keep Britain Tidy, said “Councils are on the frontline of the fight against fly-tipping, responding day in, day out to clear dumped waste and keep our public spaces safe and clean.
“We know how much pressure this puts on already stretched local teams and we’re incredibly grateful to Salford for joining forces with us for Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight.
“This campaign is about empowering residents to play their part in tackling this growing issue. By making simple checks before handing over waste and always getting a receipt, people can protect themselves from rogue traders, stop organised criminal networks in their tracks and help ensure public money is spent where it’s needed most.”
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