Fly-tipping Action Wales is making a fresh appeal to people living in The Valleys to think twice before getting rid of waste from their homes this festive season.
Statistics published by the Welsh Government show that last year, a total of 1,447 cases of fly-tipping were reported in the Valleys Regional Park over Christmas and New Year.
The figures also showed that the annual cost of cleaning up illegally dumped waste reached £2.2 million.
With household budgets expected to be stretched this Christmas more than ever, the partnership is calling on people to get rid of unwanted goods such as toys or electrical equipment responsibly and to make use of recycling services as much as possible.
Gary Evans, Project Manager for Fly-tipping Action Wales in the Valleys Regional Park, said: “Fly-tipping is illegal, irresponsible and comes with a hefty cost to us all. It can be a real blight on our communities and beautiful landscapes in The Valleys. It is harmful to wildlife and the environment and has a negative impact on visitors thereby reducing the potential of the area as a tourism destination.
“If you’re getting rid of waste, make sure that you get rid of waste safely and legally. We always recommend using a registered waste carrier to make sure your waste doesn’t get dumped illegally. If your waste is found fly-tipped and is traced back to your home, you could be held responsible.”
And with many of us buying Christmas trees for the home, Gary Evans also explained how green waste, in particular is often over-looked as a form of fly-tipping.
He said: “Getting rid of a Christmas tree from your home needs to be done responsibly. They are fully compostable materials, so they can easily be recycled in your garden, or they can be taken to the nearest household waste site for shredding and turning into compost. If in doubt, we encourage everyone to contact their local authority.”
Fly-tipping Action Wales is a partnership of more than 50 Welsh agencies including the 22 Local Authorities.