Council to use cameras to crackdown on fly-tippers abusing Boston recycling sites

Boston Council says there have been a ‘high number’ of instances of fly-tipping at the 13 sites around the borough, and now plans to install surveillance cameras to catch the offenders.

It warns that anyone caught could face a fixed penalty of up to £400.

Cllr Yvonne Stevens, portfolio holder for environmental services, warns that the problem could even lead to the recycling banks being taken away.

“We really do not want to be in the position where we have to remove the bring banks from the sites and take this extra recycling facility away from our residents,” she said.

“We need to make sure these facilities are used in the correct way and not taken advantage of.”

She urged people not to just leave their waste alongside the bins if they found they were full.

“If you arrive at one of our sites and the bins are full, please try one of the other sites or take your recycling home and try again at a later date, do not leave your items next to the bins on the floor,” Coun Stevens said.

The 13 sites across the borough allow residents to recycle a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, metals, textiles and books.

A spokesperson for the council stressed that the bins, located at supermarkets, car parks, lay-bys and social clubs around the borough, should not be used for trade waste.

“Any waste left on the ground alongside the banks or outside designated banks, or on top of sealed skips or containers, is classed as fly-tipping, which is a criminal offence and could result in fines or prosecution,” they said.

“If people leave waste on the ground, it attracts more fly tipping, it makes it difficult to collect skips and containers, and the ongoing costs of cleaning and the removal of the fly-tipping costs money.”

And they also said that putting the wrong material in a bank causes the waste in the bank to become contaminated, meaning that it can’t then be sent for recycling.

Anyone who comes across any recycling banks that are full or spots any waste left around the sites can contact Boston Borough Council on 01205 314200.