18 reported incidents of fly-tipping in 2 years

Asbestos, mattresses, tyres and furniture are just some of the items fly-tippers are dumping across Mid Ulster.
Fly-tippingFly-tipping
Fly-tipping

According to the latest figures from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), they cleaned-up 18 illegal waste sites in the area in the last two years.

Derek Williamson, NIEA’s Head of Enforcement, said collective action is needed to stop the illegal dumpers.

He said: “Fly-tipping is a crime and a grotesque blight on our landscape. In the last two years, NIEA alone, have cleaned-up 306 sites across Northern Ireland at a cost to the taxpayer of over £0.5m.

The overall figures for fly-tipping incidents dealt with by NIEA across Northern Ireland.The overall figures for fly-tipping incidents dealt with by NIEA across Northern Ireland.
The overall figures for fly-tipping incidents dealt with by NIEA across Northern Ireland.

“That amount would be significantly higher if we factored in the amount of money Mid Ulster District Council spent on clean-ups.

“It is not an issue we can simply prosecute our way out of. We must inform, educate and motivate people to change their behaviour. To have respect and concern for their prized-landscape and environment - for their own communities, neighbours and our economy.”

He added: “We will not hesitate to prosecute when we have enough evidence, but we also need people to get on-board with us to fight the fly-tippers.

“So, we have started a campaign to raise awareness of the issue, how to report this crime and to explain that everyone has a responsibility when it comes to how their own rubbish is disposed of.”

“Everyone from householders to businesses have a responsibility, a duty of care, to make sure their rubbish doesn’t end up being illegally dumped.

“In NIEA we are determined to tackle these waste criminals who wilfully dispose of their waste illegally,” added Mr Williamson.

“We are working with local councils to tackle this problem as clean-up, investigation and prosecution costs are a significant strain on the public purse.

“Everyone can help keep Northern Ireland clean by reporting fly-tipping or litter hotspots.”