Hillingdon Council’s zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping saw fines totalling £134,400 issued to more than 300 people.
Members of the public have been issued the fines for illegally dumping waste in the borough’s streets and open spaces.
Between April and September 2020, the council has seen nearly a 20 per cent reduction in fly-tipping incidents in comparison to the same period in 2019.
The council has been targeting streets across the borough by raising awareness of good waste management among residents and businesses, and also by taking enforcement against those found blighting neighbourhoods.
Three separate weeks of action were held in August, September and October as part of an ongoing campaign to tackle the issue. Enforcement and street cleansing teams investigated and found evidence in black bags, cardboard boxes and packages fly-tipped on public highways, in parks and next to litter bins. The illegally dumped rubbish was traced back to 336 people, who were each issued with £400 fixed penalty notices.
Cllr Philip Corthorne, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and the Environment, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our neighbourhoods, created by a small minority who think this behaviour is acceptable. However, thanks to the majority of our residents, who are disposing of waste properly and also our dedicated teams who are enforcing the law, I am pleased that we have seen a reduction in incidents.
“Fly-tipping isn’t just criminal – it is also harmful to the environment and costs the council to clear it up, which is completely unacceptable. We will continue to issue fines to those who continue to flout the rules. There is no excuse for this behaviour, as we provide various services for people to dispose of their waste legally.”
Fly-tipping was found in more than 100 streets across the borough, with the most incidents in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes; Station Road, Hayes; Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon and Hayes; East Avenue, Hayes and Blyth Road, Hayes.
The council’s campaign to tackle fly-tipping includes targeting hotspot areas with increased enforcement and warnings and raising awareness about disposing of waste properly.
Waste can be disposed legally via the council’s free weekly kerbside waste and recycling collections; at Harefield Civic Amenity Site or West Drayton waste weekends; or via the council’s low-cost bulky waste service where up to six large items can be collected for £25.
If you see a fly-tip or have evidence of someone fly-tipping, report it anonymously at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/flytipping
