Bassetlaw District Council took its campaign to reduce fly-tipping to Retford Town Centre with another hard-hitting and thought provoking display.
The Council is highlighting just how much fly-tipping is dumped on its streets, in its laybys and on country lanes by displaying a collection of fly-tipping in prominent locations around the district.

Retford was the latest town to see just how much waste is dumped in Bassetlaw on average each day and officers were on hand to inform the public of how serious a problem fly-tipping is and what they can do to help tackle it.

On average, it costs the Bassetlaw Tax-Payer more than £115,000 each year to clean up fly-tipping and between April 2018 and March 2019, there were 1,987 individual incidents reported and cleared. Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said; “Unfortunately, fly-tipping is on the increase nationally, especially in rural districts such as Bassetlaw, and the cost is being picked up by us the tax payer. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and there is no excuse or justification for it.”

Through this campaign the Council is trying to spread the message that it’s ‘your rubbish and your responsibility’. Whether you dispose of it yourself at one of the Household Recycling Centres or pay someone to take it away for you, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is disposed of correctly.
Retford Ward members, have also committed their support for the campaign with Councillors Sue Shaw, James Anderson, Helen Richards and Claire Plevin all helping to highlight the negative impact fly-tipping is having on our community financially and the strain it has on our services. They hope that this campaign will make people think a little more about how they get rid of their waste.

Residents and businesses who wish to use waste removal companies can check if they are properly licenced to dispose of their waste. Waste carrier’s licences can be checked on the Environment Agency website https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index
Residents can help to reduce fly-tipping by:
• Taking their waste to the Household Recycling Centres. Residents can view more information about the items accepted at Household Recycling Centres by visiting nottinghamshire.gov.uk
• Using a licensed waste carrier. If residents employ someone to remove their waste, they should always ask to see a waste carrier license and ask for a receipt. If their waste is found to have been fly-tipped, residents could be liable for a fine of up to £5,000 and have to pay for the clean-up costs.
• Reporting fly-tipping. If residents see a fly-tip taking place, please try to collect the following information: The date, time and location of the fly-tip, the registration number and a description of the vehicle, a description of the person dumping the waste.
• Residents can report fly-tipping in confidence on the Council’s website, bassetlaw.gov.uk or by calling the Environmental Health team on 01909 533 533.
• Residents can also book a Bulky Waste Collection through the Council by visiting bassetlaw.gov.uk/bulkywaste. Collections start at £12.50 per item and £9 for each additional item.