‘Finding someone to take away your waste via an app may be convenient but choosing the wrong person could lead to fly-tipping, dumping and the illegal export of waste abroad.’
Apps offering waste disposal services are a new and emerging risk – make sure you know your duty of care obligations.
This Environment Agency release will help you find a legitimate waste operator, particularly for online services.
On Monday 29 May, the Clean Devon partnership, together with Ruda Holiday Park which is owned by Parkdean Resorts, and Plastic Free North Devon (PFND), came together for a day of action to raise awareness about the impact of beach littering on our coastlines and to encourage people to play their part in keeping our beaches clean.
The aim of the event was to prevent a repeat of the large-scale littering that took place last year on Croyde Beach in North Devon and to remind individuals of their responsibility to take only pictures and leave only footprints. This message applies to all coastlines across Devon.
The action day featured a staged litter pile; showing the types of litter commonly cleared by the Ruda team, advice and information, and a community litter pick, where enthusiastic and passionate beach users joined in to deep clean the beach removing a staggering 31.14KG of litter.
Principal Waste Manager from Devon County Council and Clean Devon Co-ordinator, Annette Dentith, says: “On behalf of Clean Devon, I would like to express my thanks to the exceptional volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to conduct the clean-up. Many bags were filled with various items, including bottles, cans, polystyrene from broken bodyboards, netting, wrappers, takeaway packaging and much more. It was also great to hear from enthusiastic locals and holiday makers who already play their part to protect the natural beauty of our environment, recognising the negative and harmful impacts of litter in the marine environment.
“The battle against beach litter is far from over but by raising awareness and demonstrating our commitment as a partnership, we hope to encourage more people to consider their impact when visiting the beach.”
Lead Member for Waste and Recycling at North Devon Council, Cllr David Knight, says: “By collectively taking action, we can all ensure that future generations can relish in the beauty and tranquillity of our coastlines. North Devon is known for its stunning coastal beauty and as a partnership, we aimed to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their rubbish and dispose of it responsibly. Education can help individuals understand and appreciate the impact they have on an environment, when they leave rubbish and unwanted items behind. Following on from the many conversations I had with members of the public who participated, I believe the day was a great success.
Clean Devon is calling upon everyone to embrace their role as ambassadors of the environment, spreading the message of preservation and respect for the cherished beaches we all enjoy.
Individuals are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for media captured on the day which will be shared on partner social channels following the event.
Running alongside Clean Devon’s anti beach litter campaign, PFND is holding it’s ‘visitor campaign’ this summer, for its fifth consecutive year. The campaign offers free resources and support for local businesses to operate sustainably and encourages visitors to do the same. For more information and to get involved, please visit PFND’s website.
Fly tipping is more than a nuisance. It isn’t just ‘a bit of dumped waste’ for the local council to clear.
It’s an Environmental Health Officer sent to investigate. It’s a Waste Operative (or two) the council can ill-afford to spare during these times of staff shortages. It’s a vehicle and all the related maintenance and fuel costs, not to mention emissions. It’s time spent by Customer Support Officers that could be used in helping other customers with pressing needs.
Fly tipping isn’t only enacted by the devious, the criminal or the unwilling-to-pay. It’s also performed by those who may not be aware that what they are doing is an offence.
This Environment Agency blog assesses the impact of waste in the wrong place for Exeter City Council and reminds us all that we are legally responsible for the waste we throw away.
Clean Devon is focusing on beach litter as part of their next campaign after concerns about the amount of coastal litter the county experienced last year.
On Monday 29 May 2023, the Clean Devon partnership, together with Ruda Holiday Park which is owned by Parkdean Resorts, and Plastic Free North Devon (PFND), will come together for an action day to raise awareness about the impact of littering on our coastlines and to encourage people to do their part in keeping our beaches clean. The aim is to prevent a repeat of the large-scale littering that took place last year on a popular Devon beach. Just some of the items that were left included camping chairs, cheap bodyboards and alcohol bottles and cans.
Littering is an increasing burden on society, both financially and environmentally and the partnership aims to improve the issue through preventing, detecting and deterring this type of behaviour in the county.
The message to those visiting coastal areas in Devon is clear: take only pictures and leave only footprints. The partnership is urging beachgoers to dispose of their litter responsibly or by taking it home with them.
Principal Waste Manager from Devon County Council and Clean Devon Co-ordinator, Annette Dentith, says: “We want everyone to come to Devon’s beaches and enjoy themselves. But we also need everyone to respect and protect the beach environment for other visitors and marine life. 80% of marine litter comes from the land and approximately 85% of it is sadly plastic. This is a big problem because of plastic’s impact on marine life and human health via the food chain. Litter and other items left behind can easily be blown into the sea – please take everything you bring to the beach away at the end of the day, dispose of litter responsibly and leave only footprints.”
Beach manager at Ruda Holiday Park, Holly Robertson, says: “Last year, we experienced a large amount of litter on Croyde Bay. Keeping the beach safe, clean and welcoming for our visitors and the local community is our top priority. “My team carry out regular beach cleans alongside volunteers from the local community, to ensure it remains safe for swimmers, surfers and walkers, as well as the diverse flora and fauna which inhabit the beach and nearby dunes, however, we would like to start at the root cause of the problem and remind people that it’s their responsibility to dispose of their waste correctly.
“Keep Britain Tidy research shows that one in five people admit to leaving rubbish behind at the beach, so the best way to tackle the issue is through education. We fully support any initiative that shines a light on the issues caused by leaving litter at the beach, and we hope this new campaign can have a positive impact on behaviours in the future.”
A litter pick will also be taking place as part of the action day and individuals and groups are invited to join from 10am until 12 noon.
Individuals are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for material captured on the day which will be shared on partner social channels following the event.
Running alongside Clean Devon’s campaign, PFND is holding their ‘visitor campaign’ for its fifth consecutive year. The campaign offers free resources and support for local businesses to operate sustainably and encourages visitors to do the same. For more information and to get involved, please visit Plastic Free North Devon.
‘You could be fined if you give your household waste to someone who is not legally allowed to take it’.
See this handy Gov.uk guide and avoid getting caught out.
Plastic Free North Devon are encouraging holidaymakers to join their campaign to protect our rolling hills and beautiful beaches. Clean Devon fully support this initiative which encourages all visitors to reduce the amount of single use plastic used, and to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Follow this useful guide to play your part, and have a fantastic holiday.
We all have a responsibility to make sure our waste isn’t fly tipped, so we need to be extra careful to be sure we are not passing our waste into the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they are doing, or worse, doesn’t care – a waste criminal.
Next time you need to find a waste collector, or ‘man with a van’ or hire a skip – remember to check they’re a registered waste carrier before you use them.
To find out more, and what you need to do, see this Environment Agency blog simple checks with potential for big change.
A new report from the European Environment Agency ‘traces the problem of marine litter from source to sea to help policymakers and citizens understand what we can do about it’.
‘We’ve all seen the photos. Piles of plastic waste drifting in the open sea. A daily tide of plastic and other detritus washed up on our beaches. Scenes of turtles and fish tangled in discarded fishing nets. Yet all of it is preventable.’
The report identifies that 80% of marine litter originates from land-based sources and as such, litter needs to be tackled and prevented at source (European Environment Agency).
Keep Britain Tidy’s nationwide annual Great British Spring Clean returns from the 17th March – 2nd April 2023.
Pledging to take part in the Great British Spring Clean (GBSC) couldn’t be easier, visit the Keep Britain Tidy website to sign up as an individual, a group or a school, and let the GBSC know how many bags you pledge to pick up.
Clean Devon is backing the campaign again this year by encouraging residents across the Devon to organise a group clean-up or pledge to do their own individual litter pick to improve their local area. Further advice is available on the Get Involved page.
The Environment Agency respond to many reports about the burning of waste every year. Burning waste can produce harmful gasses and the residue can pollute surface and ground water leading to land contamination. Where inappropriate wastes are burned in the open air, those responsible can face unlimited fines. Find out how to manage your waste correctly and improve our environment in the process in this Environment Agency blog.
No excuse for illegally burning waste – Creating a better place (blog.gov.uk)