The Isle of Wight has one of the lowest rates of fly-tipping in the whole of the South East, according to the latest government data.
What’s more, 70 per cent of fly-tips collected by the Isle of Wight Council are household black bags left out on the wrong day — a good reminder to all residents to check their waste calendars.
Fly-tipping can be classed as anything from one bag of household rubbish to several van loads of construction material. If it is dumped on land that doesn’t have a licence to accept waste, it is fly-tipping and it is illegal.
Bacon: Severity of offence must and will result in more immediate enforcement action
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for environment, heritage and waste management, said,
“Taking enforcement action and investigating dog fouling and fly-tips is not easy and requires clear evidence which, unfortunately, many professional fly-tippers are good at removing.
“It also necessitates a proportional response when the culprit is identified. Such an approach must take account of whether it is a first time offence, the size and scale, and the fact that some cases are genuine mistakes.
“It also involves steps of talking to the culprit, education, informal/formal warnings and, in many cases, providing the responsible person with the opportunity to take corrective actions and pay for the cost of clear up.
“This will often take place, to positive effect, prior to consideration being given to prosecution or other restrictive enforcement. That said, in some situations the severity of the offence must and will result in more immediate enforcement action.
“The council is often criticised for the limited number of prosecutions that take place, however this does not mean the system is failing.”
Dedicated team of enforcement officers
The council has a dedicated team of enforcement officers who spend their days patrolling the streets, talking to the community and investigating litter, vandalism, graffiti, dog fouling, bin misuse and fly-tips.
The approach taken when offences have been committed is generally one of education followed by enforcement action wherever appropriate.
83 formal investigations
From 1st April to 31st December 2021 this approach led to 83 formal investigations, 11 warning letters and three fixed penalty notices.
In this same period, out of the 568 fly-tips reported and collected by the council or its contractors, 196 were black bags left out on the wrong day and 205 were simply other household items left out and not placed in a black bag.
Dog owners too are being reminded that when it comes to their pet poo, any general waste bin will do.
Dix: Three-and-a-half elephants worth of dog poo each month
Natasha Dix, strategic manager, contracts, waste and environment, added,
“The majority of dog owners are responsible. On the Island we currently send around 20 tonnes of dog poo a month to landfill, all gathered from dedicated dog bins. That is about the same weight as three-and-a-half elephants or 12 cars.
“However dog poo dangling from trees, dog fouling on pathways and where to put dog poo are issues that the council takes very seriously. Both council officers and councillors deal with these sort of issues on a daily basis.
“It is important to stress to dog owners that, when it comes to their pet poo, any general waste bin will do dog poo can go in litter bins, dog bins and the black waste bins at home — but please do bag it before binning it.”
FACT BOX
- If you wish to complain about fly-tipping, please supply any evidence that might help indicate the identity of the culprit.
- Fly-tips, hazardous waste, litter and animal carcases on the highway and pavements should be reported to Island Roads on (01983) 822440 or by email at [email protected]
- Complaints relating to council public land (parks, beaches, playgrounds, public foot paths etc) should be reported online via the council’s Website or by calling the council’s waste services on (01983) 823777.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
