Fly-tipping is defined as the ‘illegal deposit of any waste onto land that does not have a licence to accept it’. The waste could be a mattress, an old freezer, or a bin bag full of rubbish and used nappies!
When fly-tipping happens in streets and back lanes the minimum affect is a nuisance that makes our community areas look ugly and run down. But there is a much larger and organised scale of fly-tipping that may involve repeated truckloads of tipping of a wide range of materials, some of with may be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and present a definite fire risk.
In addition, fly-tipping of hazardous materials in public areas, footpaths, and parks, (especially if it contains toxic substances or asbestos), may be harmful to children.
County Durham and the Borough of Darlington is renowned for its natural beauty and ecology. Fly-tipping presents a risk to watercourses and soil quality from the dumped waste.
Fly-tipping is a serious offence for which the person doing the fly-tipping can be prosecuted. The courts have various powers available to them including imprisonment, unlimited fines, and may seize and crush a vehicle used to commit the offence.
Fly-tipping can be used as fuel in a deliberate fire can may spread to hedges and buildings close to the materials are dumped. This puts an unnecessary drain on Fire and Rescue Service resources, when they could be attending other emergency calls.
Fly-tipping can be reported to your local authority.
County Durham Council via Do It Online
Darlington Borough Council via their website.