New fund to fight flytipping invites local applications

11th August 2011

A new £50,000 fund offering grants of between £500 and £10,000 has been launched by Zero Waste Scotland to help local communities tackle flytipping by providing them with cash to remove dumped waste and take steps to prevent future problems.

Open to community groups, landowners and land managers who are experiencing persistent problems of flytipping, applications to the fund can be made at www.dumbdumpers.org/flytipping. The closing date for applications is Friday 9th September 2011.

The Flytipping Small Grants Scheme is being run by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland, with support from the Scottish Flytipping Forum.

Catherine Wilson, Litter and Flytipping Manager for Zero Waste Scotland, said: "The negative impacts which can be suffered by communities affected by flytipping are huge. Our small grants fund is about supporting landowners and community groups who are ready to take forward action to clean up illegal dumping grounds and prevent further problems. As well as financial assistance, successful applicants will be given expert advice and support to carry out their project proposals.

"Waste dumped in the wrong place can be hazardous to the public, damage the environment, look unsightly and can discourage business investment into an area. With around 2,500 incidents of small to medium scale flytipping reported in Scotland every month, many communities feel the cost of this unnecessary, unlawful activity."

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council's TEC Services Committee welcomed the new flytipping fund for community groups, landowners and land managers.

He said: "We are very aware of the misery and cost of persistent flytipping on private land that is outwith the local authority remit. Landowners often don't know that they are responsible for the cost of clearance of flytipping on their land until it happens to them. Highland Council is fully supportive of the Flytipping Small Grants Scheme and we hope that it will benefit landowners plagued by persistent flytipping in the Highlands.

"I would urge the public however to be vigilant and to report sightings of flytippers as catching the culprits who are the root cause of this problem is key to keeping the Highlands beautiful. Call the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line on 0845 2 30 40 90 if you witness flytipping taking place."

For more detailed information about the criteria for the fund, please visit www.dumbdumpers.org/flytipping or contact flytipping[AT]ksbscotland.org.uk or call 01786 468 788.