Fly tipping causes a nusisance to residents, has a negative impact on the environment and is costly for the council to remove. Huntingdonshire District Council is running a campaign to help tackle fly tipping.

The campaign aims to educate and increase awareness amongst residents of the correct way to dispose of their rubbish. There will be information leaflets and road shows where the public can meet council officers to discuss waste and recycling.

Flytipping hotspots in the district will be targeted and officers will be out and about using CCTV and other methods to catch offenders who spoil the environment for everyone else. Residents are also being encouraged to report incidents of flytipping and if possible give details of offenders.   Offenders who are caught will be prosecuted and could be fined up to £5,000.

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste such as tyres, mattresses, household appliances, household waste, nappies, rubbish left over from building or DIY projects and can be found anywhere, such as roadsides or in lay-bys. The council will not tolerate fly tipping.

Residents have the option of disposing rubbish in the three bins provided using the fortnightly collections or it can be taken to the Household Recycling centre and dealt with in the appropriate way or they can contact the council to request a bulky waste collection.

Councillor Colin Hyams Executive Councillor for Waste and Recycling said, "The council has an excellent record at cleaning up fly tipping, which we try hard to maintain, as none of us want to live or work in an unpleasant environment. The district has a considerably low fly tipping problem compared with other areas, although there is a problem in a small number of concentrated areas”.

He added; “The cost of fly tipping is paid for by council tax payers, which is very unfair because it is money that could be put towards other services to benefit the residents of Huntingdonshire.”

Robert Ward, Head of Operations said, “We are committed to combat fly tipping but we need assistance from our residents. Fining people is the last resort we want to take; we want to encourage them to think carefully about what they do with their waste so that it's dealt with properly and responsibly".

You can help to keep the district clean and safe by reporting fly tipping on 0800 389 6613.