300% Rise In Fly-Tipping Seen Amid The Pandemic
We’re all having to adjust to a new way of life as a result of the coronavirus crisis, however temporary this may be, and this means making a few sacrifices in some areas – such as keeping waste at home for the time being because all tips around the country have had to close in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.
However, it seems that there are some that are flouting the rules and fly-tipping their waste, with the Countryside Alliance saying that some parts of the UK have seen a 300 per cent rise in incidents of this kind as a result of the tips being shut.
The organisation has reminded people of their personal responsibilities to do their bit when it comes to waste disposal – and this needs to be done legally. If not, you could face prosecution if you’re caught in the act of fly-tipping or if you’re caught giving waste to a rogue disposal system.
Advice from the Alliance if you are having a clear out at the moment is to keep waste at home until you can dispose of it legally, or use a registered waste carrier instead.
“The impact [fly-tipping] is having on our communities and countryside is unacceptable. We must all remember that fly-tipping is not a victimless crime and has a significant impact on rural areas and wildlife,” it was observed.
Have a read of our recent blog post on the impact that improper waste disposal has on the environment – it may make you think twice about fly-tipping household or business waste, if that is what you’ve been considering at the moment.
Cooking oil, for example, can cause real and lasting damage to sewerage and drainage if dumped down the drain or on waste ground. Waste cooking oil can also find its way into landfill with existing rubbish, which therefore contributes to land pollution and damages water tables.
Recyclable items that aren’t disposed of properly can also contribute to poor air quality, adding to harmful gases emitted by landfill sites. When items end up in landfill, they are later burned and the gases emitted from this disturb the ozone layer and contribute to methane gas, which is produced from waste as it decomposes.
Another issue to bear in mind is soil contamination, which can also occur as a result of irresponsible waste disposal. Hazardous chemicals can embed themselves in the soil, inhibiting the growing process – which can also end up disrupting our food supplies.
If you’d like any help or advice relating to rubbish clearance in south-west London, get in touch with the team here at Chiswick Rubbish Clearance to see how we can help. We have our own disposal yard in Iver, which allows us to deal with waste safely and responsibly.