Published Date: Dec 29th, 2023
Fines for flytipping will more than double to £500 from Monday, January 1, 2024.
The new powers are being brought in under the Scottish Government’s six-year National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, which sets out how national and local government, business, the third sector, communities and individuals can work together to drive behaviour change, improve infrastructure, and strengthen enforcement.
Other key measures proposed as part of the Strategy include the introduction of new powers to impose a fine on the registered keeper of a vehicle from which a littering offence is committed, and a new national online litter hub to provide information, advice and support to community groups and other relevant local organisations on tackling litter and littering behaviour.
The new legislation will also build on the success of Fife’s environmental vandalism strategy, a mix of prevention and enforcement measures which was approved last February, and the launch of Fife’s free bulky uplift scheme which has led to a noticeable drop in flytipping reports.
Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council’s spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change, said: “There are no excuses for littering and flytipping, which are a blight on our streets, communities and countryside, with the cost of cleaning up often borne by individuals and the public sector.
“Every year, millions of items are dropped as litter and tonnes of material is flytipped in Scotland, with at least £60 million of public money spent annually to clean it up - money that could be better spent on other services. On top of this, litter and flytipping prevention can ‘close the loop’ in a circular economy.
“We have to recognise that everything we use and throw away is a resource which has a value, a value that we should preserve, capture, and use again wherever possible.”
Previously, anyone caught dumping waste illegally could be fined £200, but the new legislation sees that penalty increase to £500.
Nigel Kerr, Head of Protective Services, Fife Council, added: “The National Litter and Flytipping Strategy builds on the positive work we’re doing here in Fife and will drive further change in behaviours and the delivery of services.
“Flytipping, or illegal dumping, creates eyesores on our beaches, in our woods, in fields and on the side of our roads, so these new powers have to be welcomed.
“We know that most people want to take pride in their local area and that to be successful the council needs the support of local people, who are our eyes and ears in the community.
“This is why we’re asking Fifers to help stop flytipping by reporting it, and urging local people to check that waste carriers disposing of waste on their behalf have a SEPA licence.
“We all have a duty to know where our waste is going.”
How to report illegal dumping in Fife:
- Do it online at fife.gov.uk/illegaldumping
- Telephone: 03451 55 00 22
- Email: safercommunities.team@fife.gov.uk
There are lots of ways that Fifers can get rid of waste, rather than sending it directly to landfill.
Visit our recycling, upcycling and re-use pages for more information. Visit: https://www.fife.gov.uk/recycling
Bulky uplifts can also be ordered online via www.fife.gov.uk/bulkyuplift