„This is the bread and butter of the environmental enforcement team,“ explains Eiman Rostami as he observes his colleague Peter sifting through a plastic garbage bag filled with refuse beside a main street in Ladywell, southeast London.
The duo has uncovered a case of unauthorized waste dumping, likely linked to a local barber shop, after Peter finds a scrap of paper containing the establishment’s details. „Now we will use that evidence to issue a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping to that address,“ states Eiman, who serves as Lewisham’s planning enforcement manager and interim environmental enforcement manager.
Prevalence of Fly-Tipping in the Borough
Fly-tipping has emerged as a significant issue in Lewisham, similar to many areas across the UK. In the last year, the borough received over 38,000 reports related to fly-tipped waste, incurring expenses of £600,000 for cleanup efforts. This figure does not encompass other related costs, such as enforcement and effects on local businesses, which rise to millions.
To combat the issue, the council has deployed a team of 17 enforcement officers who patrol the streets to locate illegal waste dumpers.
While on Alain N’Guessan Bi’s regular route, he points out a street corner littered with multiple bags and cardboard boxes, a known hotspot for fly-tipping. During a previous patrol, this location yielded additional refuse, including a wooden pallet and an office chair.
Challenges and Enforcement Measures
Eiman notes that it has taken only a day or two for the current pile of refuse to accumulate. Some materials, like the blue, red, and orange bags, belong to authorized collection points for road sweepers and businesses. However, Eiman acknowledges human behavior: „People see a large pile of rubbish and think, ‚I will just add mine to this, instead of taking it to the dump.'“ The message is clear – it ultimately leads to increased cleanup costs for the enforcement team.
To dissuade such practices, investigations are conducted which may result in fines of up to £1,000 for offenders. Earlier this year, the council raised the maximum penalty for fly-tipping from £400 to £1,000, significantly increasing the number of fines issued to nearly 120 a month compared to the previous year.
Despite these efforts, government statistics indicate a sharp rise in reported fly-tipping incidents within the borough in recent years. Eiman attributes this partly to the introduction of a new app that simplifies reporting for residents but also acknowledges a genuine increase in offenses.
Community Involvement and Education
The individuals behind the offenses include repeat offenders as well as those unfamiliar with the regulations. As Eiman elaborates, „The problem with bulky fly-tipping is often locating the source is extremely challenging.“ In many instances, discarded items provide little to no identifying information, complicating the enforcement process.
To assist in identifying offenders, the enforcement team collaborates with local businesses and utilizes CCTV, as exemplified by shop owner Max Geddes, who installed a camera outside his establishment due to frequent fly-tipping issues.
„It’s unfortunate that we have to monitor it, but someone must take responsibility,“ Geddes remarks. „The environmental agency can’t see everything, so collaboration is essential for cleanup efforts.“ The team emphasizes educational outreach, aiming to prevent fly-tipping by advising new residents of their responsibilities and the environmental regulations in place.
Adaptations to Waste Management Services
Moreover, efforts are being made to facilitate waste disposal for residents, such as reducing the cost of bulk waste removal from £42 to £5 for up to four items. The council is also implementing time banding, which restricts when colored bags can be placed at collection points.
Eiman expresses, „Highlighting the gaps in our services is crucial. It would be unfair to enforce penalties without providing accessible options for waste disposal. Our ultimate goal is to clean up the borough rather than punish citizens.“ The comprehensive strategy thus combines enforcement with community education and improved waste management solutions.
