Pretend fly-tip at Cornish magnificence spot raises consciousness about unlawful dumping

A faux fly-tip was set-up at Cornish magnificence spot to lift consciousness about unlawful dumping in rural areas.

Cornwall Council hosted the staged occasion at Golitha Falls, close to Liskeard, on Thursday November 6.

Representatives from the Council’s Community Protection and Trading Standards groups, the Environment Agency, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs group, the NFU and Clean Cornwall had been readily available to talk to curious passers-by.

In the 12 months 2023/2024, 3,655 incidents of fly-tipping had been reported to Cornwall Council. The complete price of eradicating the fly-tipped waste from public land was over £450,000.

Sarah-Jane Brown, Group Leader for Community Protection at Cornwall Council, mentioned: “Fly-tipping causes important hurt in rural communities. Dumped waste can injury wildlife habitats, pollute waterways, and hurt livestock. It additionally blights the countryside, spoiling Cornwall’s pure magnificence and creating pricey and time-consuming clean-ups for landowners and the Council.

“We all have a responsibility to keep Cornwall clean and safe.”

PC Clarke Orchard, Rural Affairs Officer at Devon and Cornwall Police, mentioned: “Not solely is fly-tipping an eyesore, however with it comes a wealth of environmental penalties and monetary implications; all of which trigger hurt in our communities.

“This is a egocentric offence and one which blights our stunning panorama and countryside. We will proceed to work intently with our native companions throughout Devon and Cornwall to help academic occasions to lift consciousness of this situation in addition to focused operations to determine these accountable.

“Whether you report fly-tipping if you see it or disposing of your waste appropriately, all of us have an necessary half to play in tackling this situation.

“If you fly-tip, your actions can have huge implications on wildlife, waterways and the wider community, including farmers and landowners. So please, stop and think twice.”

Fly‑tipping is a critical offence and carries robust penalties. Offenders can face Fixed Penalty Notices of as much as £1,000 for giant‑scale or hazardous dumping and £500 for smaller incidents.

In essentially the most critical instances, prosecution by means of the courts can lead to limitless fines and even imprisonment for as much as 5 years. Vehicles utilized in fly‑tipping might also be seized and destroyed, and offenders might be ordered to cowl clean-up and authorized prices.

Anyone who pays to have waste eliminated should verify the individual they’re hiring has a waste provider’s licence, or they too might obtain a advantageous if the waste finally ends up being dumped.

Representative from completely different businesses are working collectively to sort out fly-tipping

Steve Clark, Waste Team Leader for Cornwall on the Environment Agency, mentioned: “If you’re paying somebody to take waste away, which may very well be a tradesperson or a person with a van, be certain they’re a registered waste provider.

“We have a public register on the Environment Agency website so anyone can do a quick search and check if the individual or company is legitimate.”

Councillor Thalia Marrington, cupboard member with accountability for Community Safety and Public Protection, mentioned: “It’s nice to see businesses working collectively to sort out this situation, which prices taxpayers and landowners important quantities of cash.

“We urge people to dispose of their waste responsibly and I’d also encourage anyone with evidence relating to incidents of fly-tipping to report it to the Council so we can investigate.”

Anyone who sees fly-tipped waste on public land is urged to report it, and to submit any proof, equivalent to footage or movies which will assist determine these accountable, through the Cornwall Council web site.

If a fly-tip is obstructing a street, it ought to be reported to the Police by calling 999.

You may also report fly-tips anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting the Crimestoppers website. 

Businesses, regardless of how small, should use a licensed waste provider to take away any business waste.

Advice for companies on business waste and the legislation can be discovered on the Cornwall Council web site.

Press launch issued on November 11, 2025