Is Fly Tipping Increasing Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

There is no denying that the Coronavirus has pushed us all to our limits as ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders have closed work-places, shopping centres and even recycling or disposal facilities. As a result, it is thought that fly tipping could be on the increase as homeowners resort to illegal dumping in order to dispose of their waste. Read on as the PWM team takes a look at the current situation…

There is a lot of belief by government officials that the apparent increase in fly tipping instances is simply the result of better recordings of the crime, however latest figures have skyrocketed beyond expectations and are beginning to concern local councils across the UK. After all, illegally dumping waste does not only look unsightly, but it can also put the environment and local habitat at risk.

A study conducted by Skip Hire UK saw that the number of negative tweets raising concerns about fly tipping in 2020 increased by 19% in the East Midlands, 79% in the North East, 37% in the North West and 36% in the West Midlands. Although these figures are not official government statistics, it seems like the issue is troubling the general public significantly more than it did the previous year. Of course, the only change that we have seen over the past 12 months is the COVID-19 pandemic as strict measures were imposed across the country in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

One of these changes was the closure of local tip and recycling facilities that allow people to safely and legally dispose of waste like unwanted electrical items, mattresses and even garden debris. It is important to consider whether the increase in fly tipping could be a direct result of these closures as law-abiding citizens resort to desperate measures during a time of need. Luckily, skip hire is a service generally unaffected by lockdown measures and allows for the safe and legal removal of waste like rubble, wood and even some plastics.

Many people are unaware that fly tipping is a serious crime that leaves offenders stumped with a hefty fine. In fact, those who are found to be dumping waste on several occasions could even face prison time! Here at PWM Skip Hire, our skips offer an affordable, convenient and legal alternative to fly tipping. To find out more information, get in contact with the best skip hire Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the team today.