Fly-tipping – there is no excuse. Fly-tipping is an environmental crime where someone dumps waste illegally in an inappropriate place. It is not something that occurs rarely – despite people being given fines and sometimes prison sentences many still continue to do it. Whether it just be a chair, as seen in the photograph above, or masses of rubbish from lorries, it is illegal and must be stopped.
Why is fly-tipping so bad, one might say? Firstly, it wastes the council’s money and time having to go pick up rubbish that many have complained about. Secondly, some forms of rubbish left over from fly-tipping can attract vermin such as rats if not picked up quickly enough. It also is damaging to the environment itself as it pollutes the plants, ground and the habitats of animals surrounding it. The rubbish may also contain toxic chemicals or materials that a poor animal may consume, and be made ill because of it. Thirdly, it is horrible to look at, and it is indecent of a person to leave their rubbish on a street or even a property that does not belong to them.
There are so many options to dispose of your unwanted furniture or rubbish, that there is really no need really to fly-tip. There are many companies who are willing to pick it up and take it from your house, and get rid of it in a proper way for a very reasonable price. Or, if you are unwilling to pay for someone else to do it, you can visit to your local rubbish dump and give it to them to take care of it. Or, if your item is of a good quality, a few charities in some areas, like the British Heart Foundation, will pick up the furniture or electrical appliance for free in a time that is convenient to you and to them. Therefore, there is really no reason to leave it out on the street, as there are quite a few options available to you.
Many councils offer rewards to people offering knowledge on fly-tippers, and hopefully soon they will be able to crack down on the selfish people trying to litter our streets. Bromley Council advises locals to “If you see anyone dumping rubbish, please telephone the police. Try to get a good description of the vehicle and any persons you see involved. Do not tackle the driver yourself.”
By Klara Bell, Newstead Wood School
