Instances of fly-tipping in Cornwall have increased by nearly 40 per cent since new charges were introduced for the disposal of non-household waste, while illegal disposal of the newly-chargeable items has more than doubled.

In September last year, Cornwall Council introduced a new charging system at its 13 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) for ‘non-household’ items such as tyres, rubble and soil, asbestos and plasterboard.

The scheme was designed to ensure that those disposing of waste classified as neither ‘business’ nor ‘household’ were paying towards the costs of its disposal, rather than it being met by the county’s council taxes.

But in the 11 months since, there have been 4,511 incidents of fly-tipping, up from 3,240 in the corresponding months (September to July) in 2013/14 – an increase of 39.2 per cent.

Indeed, according to figures released by the council, fly-tipping incidents involving materials now chargeable by the HWRC system have increased over the same period by 156.4 per cent from 321 to 823.

Prior to the charges being enforced, fly-tipping of tyres in Cornwall had fallen from 149 (Sept-July 2012/13) to 99 (Sept-July 2013/14). However, in the eleven months since the charge, Cornwall Council has recorded 309 instances of illegally dumped tyres – more than triple the number previously recorded.

Similarly, fly-tipping of asbestos has increased from 28 to 62 (a 121 per cent increase) and construction and demolition waste from 194 to 452 (132 per cent).

Under the charging system, which only accepts small amounts of the designated waste as business waste is not accepted at HWRCs, asbestos can be dumped at £10.10 per 180cm x 90cm bag, plasterboard at £4.40 per bag, tyres at £3.20 per tyre and soil/rubble (including bricks, drainage pipes, paving slabs, ceramics, tiles and turf) at £1.75 per small sack.

Council anticipated short-term fly-tipping increase

Councillor Joyce Duffin, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “We recognised that there could be a potential increase in fly-tipping in the short term following the introduction of charges as some people would wish to avoid paying for their waste to be disposed of.

“We have always recorded the number of fly-tips on public and private land, and have been monitoring this issue closely to see if there would be an increase in the number of incidents.

“However not all the items being fly-tipped are ones which people have to pay to dispose of. In fact, one of the most frustrating aspects of this increase is that many of the items being fly-tipped can actually still be taken to the household waste recycling centres free of charge.

“While we have achieved significant savings for council tax payers as a result of the introduction of the charges at household waste recycling centres, it is important that we consider all the issues, including the potential impact on private landowners.”
A statement issued by the council read: “We will continue to respond, investigate and take action against the small number of irresponsible people who choose to break the law.

“Over the past year enforcement officers from Public Protection and Business Support have successfully prosecuted one fly-tipper and also cautioned or issued fixed penalty notices to several other offenders.

“Officers are also working with private landowners using cameras to catch people dumping rubbish on their land. We are also working with the Environment Agency to check waste transfer documents of commercial businesses.”

Penalties for fly-tipping

Fly-tipping offenders can currently be fined up to £50,000 and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment in a Magistrates Court. If the case goes to the Crown Court fines are unlimited and a sentence of up to five years in prison can be awarded.

Under current laws, waste illegally dumped on private land is the landowner’s responsibility for disposal regardless of their involvement.

The Environment Agency recently urged landowners to be mindful of their responsibilities and wary of the use of their land after two were forced to pay for the removal of 100,000 tyres and 3,000 cubic metres of plastic bales respectively from their properties in Lincolnshire.

Learn more about how the Environment Agency works to crack down on waste crime.