Fly-tipping costs Harborough taxpayers more than £104,000

More than 330 fly-tipping incidents across the Harborough district cost taxpayers over £104,000 to clear up last year, prompting the council to back a new campaign aimed at tackling the problem.

The No Rubbish Excuses initiative is being rolled out across Leicestershire to highlight the environmental and financial impact of illegally dumped rubbish and encourage people to dispose of waste responsibly.

The campaign is also reminding residents of their legal responsibility to ensure anyone taking away their waste is properly licensed.

Flytipping in a layby on the A6 bypass near Kibworth

People who fail to check that a waste carrier is registered could face heft fines if their rubbish is later found to have been fly-tipped.

Fixed Penalty Notices  for fly-tipping are up to £1,000. If prosecuted in court, perpetrators face an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison.

HDC Councillor David Page said fly-tipping damages the environment, places an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers and is a crime that can be prevented if everyone disposes of their waste responsibly:

The council is encouraging residents to use authorised waste disposal services and to report incidents of fly-tipping to help protect the local environment.