Council warns against fly-tipping over Christmas

Herefordshire Council has warned against fly-tipping this Christmas and is encouraging residents to be aware of the waste disposal options available this festive period.

The UK throws away around 300,000 tonnes of Christmas packaging each year.

And the county council wants people to be aware of the changes to bin collections over the festive period.

Local residents who would normally have their collection day on a Friday will instead have their collection day changed on Sunday December 27 and Saturday 2 January 2021 over Christmas and New Year.

The council has asked residents to ensure their bins are put out by 6.30am as collections may be earlier than normal.

All of the county’s tips are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but they will be open as usual for pre-booked slots throughout the rest of the festive period.

Appointments to visit the local tip must be booked in advance. Those who turn up without booking you will not be allowed to enter the site.

The county council has also published guidance on how to dispose of various items, including Christmas trees, polystyrene, wrapping paper and cardboard boxes, cards and food, along with a list of tips for how you can reduce your waste this Christmas.

Trading Standards service manager David Hough said: “It is the most important of the year to plan in advance how you are going to dispose of your waste safely and avoid the pitfalls that can lead to prosecution for improper waste disposal.

“Not only is fly-tipping damaging to the environment and an unsightly blight on our beautiful county, but you will be prosecuted.

“The council has worked to ensure everybody has a number of easy and effective ways to dispose of Christmas waste, so please make use of these.”

“With the wealth of services and resources available, there really is no excuse for not properly disposing of your waste this Christmas,” David Hough added.

“Unlawful waste disposal and fly tipping costs council tax payers tens of thousands of pounds each year.

“Anyone found fly tipping waste will be prosecuted, we are committed to bringing fly-tippers to justice.

“The maximum penalty for fly tipping is a £50,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment, so it really isn’t worth the risk.”

The community protection team will investigate unlawful waste disposal and fly tipping cases that are reported via the Herefordshire Council website or by calling 01432 261761.