Multi-agency bid to tackle fly-tipping and illegal disposal of waste
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Problems of fly-tipping and illegal disposal of campervan and caravan waste are being tackled in a multi-agency initiative.
Highland Council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scotland’s environmental regulator, will follow up reports from witnesses and consider issuing fixed-penalty notices if enough evidence is available to identify offenders.
Fixed penalties of £200 can be served on the person in control of a vehicle.
Highlands and Islands Local Resilience Partnership members met last week to discuss the issue of irresponsible campervan and caravan waste disposal that has been affecting many locations in the north.
They are concerned about the public health and environmental impact of human waste dumping.
Highland Council, SEPA and Police Scotland are urging people to dispose of their waste responsibly and ask anyone who witnesses fly-tipping and illegal disposal of campervan and caravan waste to report it.
This can be done by emailing Highland Council’s environmental health team at envhealth@highland.gov.uk, reporting via the SEPA website at www.sepa.org.uk/report or calling Police Scotland on 101.
Reports of illegal dumping can also be made through Zero Waste Scotland's Dumb Dumpers website.
Alan Yates, Highland Council’s environmental health manager, said: “We urge visitors to the region to enjoy their stay in our beautiful locations but to ‘leave no trace’.
"Sadly, a minority continue to take no responsibility for their own actions. In these cases, a fixed-penalty notice is used to give offenders the opportunity to discharge liability to conviction of the offence by paying the fixed penalty.
"If the offender chooses to reject the fixed-penalty notice or fails to pay in the notice period then the matter can be referred to the courts and potential prosecution for the offender.”
Jennifer Shearer, head of enforcement at SEPA, said: “Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and tackling illegal waste management activities is one of our major priorities. It is a criminal offence to illegally dispose of waste and the responsible parties, including the producer of the waste, could be subject to enforcement action.
"Everyone can help end the selfish, criminal dumping behaviours that blight our communities.”
Police Scotland's Inspector Ali Garrow said: "Visitors to our wonderful Highland communities are welcome, but we urge everyone to take personal responsibility during their visit to ensure they leave no trace of their stay.
"We are working closely with our partner agencies to address concerns around anti-social behaviour and littering from camping and encourage anyone planning to visit to be aware of, and follow, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
"Where necessary, Police Scotland will work with the Highland Council and SEPA to tackle fly-tipping and littering.
"If anyone sees fly-tipping in their area, we would urge them to report it to the local authority as soon as possible, along with any descriptions of people or vehicles involved."
The partners are working together to promote responsible camping. Highland Council is carrying out a survey of private camp sites across the region to establish where sites will allow non-residents to dispose of their waste and to top up their water supplies at a small fee.
Further information on litter and fly-tipping legislation can be found here.
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