Fly tipping on rise after coronavirus lockdown closes Fife recycling centres

Fife Council is encouraging people not to fly tip while recycling centres are closed

Since the recycling centres closed last week after staff shortages due to the coronavirus, there has been an increase in fly tipping across the Kingdom.

The council have asked that if you have items you would normally dispose of at recycling centres, that these items are stored securely until services resume.

Ken Gourlay, Head of Assets, Transportation and Environment, Fife Council, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but we ask that everyone follows the government’s strict instructions at this time and not make any non-essential journeys and undertake non-essential activities.

“We thank you for your help in keeping people safe and looking after the local environment.

“We are working hard to ensure that we continue to pick up domestic bins from the kerb, so that there’s no need to travel.

“We ask that only bins that need emptied (more than half full) are put out for collection to help relieve pressure on our reduced collection teams.

“With the closure of the household waste and recycling centres, and the suspension of the bulky uplift service, residents should ensure that large items intended for disposal are stored safely away from communal areas.

“It’s that time of year when people are getting on with garden maintenance and D.I.Y – brown bins continue to be collected for garden waste, so please store any excess waste responsibly.”

Special trips to dispose of recycling should not be made, in line with government guidance.

Mr Gourlay added: “Unfortunately, in these challenging times when council services are already under additional pressure, the misuse of recycling points and fly tipping are issues.

“Everyone is responsible for their own waste and must dispose of their rubbish responsibly.

“Recycling points are still available at supermarkets and shopping centres, but residents are requested not to make special visits to them, in line with government guidance, but to use them while doing their essential shopping.

“If your supermarket has recycling facilities and you are travelling there anyway, please dispose of your recycling responsibly.

“Waste and recycling should not be placed beside the bins at recycling points or communal bins.”

Residents should clean their hands before and after use.