Kingston Council crackdown on fly tipping

Although Kingston had the fewest reported fly tips of any London borough between 2019 - 2020, the council is working to ensure that any fly tipping which does occur, is investigated thoroughly and that those responsible are held to account.

Councillor John Sweeney, Portfolio Holder for Business and Leisure said:

Kingston is a great borough to live in and most residents and businesses take care of their rubbish properly. Sadly, our research has identified a number of 'hot-spots' that are susceptible to fly tipping.
 
Our Officers have formed a team to work with impacted residents, businesses and Councillors, to find ways of reducing and eradicating fly tipping in these areas. Increased enforcement is one of the investments we have made. 
 
Dedicated officers are focused on catching fly tippers and issuing £400 penalties, Duty of Care Notices, and aim to have the most serious offenders prosecuted. Residents can report fly tipping on the council's website.

Waste Inspection Officers are currently operating in areas identified by the Fly Tipping Task Force as having historic issues with fly tipping. They are taking action against those who spoil the borough for everyone else. 

Last week, Officers issued 29 Duty of Care Notices and nine Fixed Penalty Notices to businesses, and five Fixed Penalty Notices to residents. The council is working with residents in hot spots to remind them of their collection day and how to dispose of their waste correctly.

The council’s waste contractor, Veolia, has also been heavily involved in driving down fly tipping. Earlier in the year it launched its SCRAP IT fly tipping campaign and in recent months has been engaging with residents and businesses to ensure that they know they have a legal duty to dispose of their waste correctly, and, informing them of how to make best use of Kingston’s waste service.

As part of the borough’s ‘Internet of Things’ project, cameras have been installed across ten council housing sites which suffer from persistent fly tipping. These cameras are motion activated and notify the council when a fly tip may have occurred.

Fly tipping has a financial impact on council tax payers and diverts resources away from other essential services. Not only is fly tipping unsightly, spoiling the borough for residents and visitors, it can also be harmful and poses a risk to public health.

Fly tipping in all of its guises is illegal and carries a variety of penalties; a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), an unlimited fine, or even a custodial sentence if convicted in a magistrates’ court. 

Most of the borough’s reported fly tips are the result of individuals disposing of their waste illegally, instead of using the kerbside collection service correctly, or, by businesses not using an authorised waste carrier to dispose of their waste responsibly.

Leaving items outside closed charity shops, putting rubbish out on non-collection days or in the wrong place, and leaving items next to supermarket recycling banks are all examples of fly tipping.

The council wants to encourage a sense of civic pride for residents and businesses - fly tipping is everyone’s problem and it is hoped that the community comes together to reduce it.

The Fly Tipping Task Force is comprised of Officers from across the council, Veolia, WISE and Councillors. It has been established to provide a collaborative and targeted approach to deter fly tipping.

Follow the advice below to ensure you don’t become an unwitting fly-tipper:

• Only put your bins or bags out on your collection day. Check your collection day.
• Only put your bins or bags out in your designated collection area.
• If you’re looking for a company to take away items like old furniture, building rubble or old appliances, make sure you choose one which is a licensed waste carrier. You can find one by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or visiting their website.
• If donating to charity shops, don’t leave items outside. Only donate when they are open and confirm that they can accept your donations.
• Use your kerbside recycling and rubbish collection service. Find out what you can put in your bins.
• Use your Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC) Book a visit to the HRRC.
• Use The Council’s bulky waste collection service to get rid of big items. Book a bulky waste collection.

You can report fly tipping on the council’s website.