In England’s third national lockdown, REACT’s fly-tipping clearance service can address any attendant increases in illegally dumped waste.
As the government announced the third national lockdown in England in the first week of January, there were lots of issues to consider. We’re told once more to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives, and people are again spending more time in their houses. And just as previously, this has unintended consequences. Not least, certain unscrupulous people may take advantage of quieter roads to dump waste illegally. In this blog, we’re looking at recent trends in waste, and how REACT’s fly-tipping clearance service addresses problems that arise.
What’s happening to waste during lockdown 3
Most rubbish and recycling services are operating as normal during this third national lockdown. For most councils, this includes collection of bulky waste items. And unlike in the first national lockdown, household waste and recycling facilities (usually called ‘dumps’) remain open. However, a number of restrictions are in place, including social distancing, which may lead to queues at such facilities. Some local authorities state that visits to local facilities are strictly by appointment only and must be booked in advance via their website. And of course, residents showing Covid-19 symptoms or who are self-isolating should not visit recycling centres as per Public Health England (PHE) guidance.
Fly-tipping is more than just a nuisance
Nevertheless, there have been stark warnings of an increase in rural fly-tipping, defined as illegally dumped waste. The Countryside Alliance says it’s monitoring waste disposal closely, as any restrictions on recycling centres and tips can affect rural areas. The organisation says there was an 80% rise in fly-tipping in certain areas during the first lockdown, with an impact on the countryside. Farmers’ fields, laybys and rural lanes became hot spots for DIY remnants, unwanted furniture and garden waste. The victim, more often than not farmers, must pay to remove the waste, or risk being fined for storing the illegally dumped waste on their land. All this comes despite warnings that people who do dump rubbish illegally face increased fines or even jail time.
And a very specific problem caused by the Covid-19 crisis is discarded personal protective equipment (PPE). According to conservationists, face masks and plastic gloves were found on a third of the UK’s beaches over the autumn of 2020 Read more here >
REACT’s fly-tipping clearance service addresses the problem
One problem is that waste attracts more waste, as fly-tippers can spontaneously create illegal dumping sites. Seemingly, waste is less easily identifiable when it’s part of a larger illegal dump. That’s where the REACT fly-tipping clearance service comes into its own. We can address the issue early on and prevent sites from being overrun with waste. Right now, of course, many people are also particularly concerned about biohazardous material. Fly tipped waste may have come into contact with or been infected by coronavirus or other pathogens. Removing such waste safely is all part of our suite of services that protect the public and the environment from health and safety risks.
With our expertise in dealing with all types of waste, including biohazards, we can react quickly to remove any fly-tipped waste and reassure the public that their safety is being protected. We provide a nationwide fly-tipping clearance service, and we’re available around the clock. Our team are well trained, medically fit and properly equipped. We operate to industry-leading standards, including BS-EN-ISO 9001:2018 and ISO14001 for Environmental Management. We can also provide comprehensive decontamination services to address any issues in the areas affected by the illegal disposal of hazardous materials.
Let’s work together to eradicate illegal waste
We must all take responsibility for our own household and commercial waste, especially at times such as these. Plan ahead to dispose of any waste generated by tidying, spring cleaning or DIY projects at a local council facility. If you can’t book an appointment, then store the waste until lockdown restrictions are fully lifted. Where possible, compost any garden waste. Always tear or cut up cardboard boxes to fit in recycling bins. And if you do spot a new fly-tipping site or an increased amount of waste on an existing site, then report it to your local council. We can work with local councils and private landlords to clear fly-tipping sites quickly and effectively. Let’s all avoid unsightly and unhygienic rubbish dumps around the UK, because we’ve all got enough on our minds at the moment.
To find out more about REACT Specialist Cleaning and our fly-tipping clearance service, contact one of the team today.
Telephone: 01283 550 503
Email: info@reactplc.co.uk
Website: www.reactsc.co.uk
Post by Shaun D. Doak
Shaun is the CEO of REACT Group plc., a business dedicated to specialist cleaning, hygiene and decontamination. He is deeply committed to making sure that every one of our company’s clients receives the highest possible level of service. An expert in HVAC and commercial and industrial cleaning methodologies, Shaun has extensive experience in the facilities management and renewable services sector.