We hope everyone has a great Christmas but one of the unwanted issues during the holiday period across the Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough are the incidents of fly-tipping.
Those responsible are being warned that their actions could increase their personal financial burden at this already expensive time of year, with council ready to issue £400 fixed penalty fines for reports of illegal dumping.
In an effort to curb fly-tipping, which has a detrimental impact on the environment, local wildlife and costs ratepayers thousands of pounds to clean-up each year, the council is appealing for residents to plan ahead for the excess packaging and unwanted items which need to be disposed of.
A council spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, seeing rubbish and waste fly-tipped in the countryside during the festive season is a reality, council has a zero tolerance to environmental crime and we will make every effort to investigate and hold those responsible to account.
“Earlier this year, the council introduced a £400 fixed penalty fine and this should act a significant deterrent, particularly at this time of year. In more serious cases, we will also seek to take these cases to court.
“But our priority is to encourage people to stop dumping rubbish in the first place. We want to let them know that council can deal with the waste they have and over the coming weeks, we will be keeping people up-to-date with any changes to their bin collections over the holidays or changes to the opening hours of recycling centres.”
People are reminded that it is not permitted to leave waste outside the recycling centres when they are closed and they should note that cameras are in operation at those sites and offenders will be prosecuted. It is not a defence to say that other items were there so you thought it was ok.
Large items of furniture, white goods, garden equipment, wood, fixtures and fittings etc can be collected for a charge of £10 for one lift up to three items, and £20 for two lifts up to six items and a maximum two lifts per year.
Further information on the waste collection services provided by Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council can be obtained by telephoning 0300 0300 900, on the council’s website at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk or on the ABC Council App.
