Concerns over a rise in fly tipping raised by Cllr Tim Douglas

Fly tipping in Rugby Borough is increasing year on year and Councillor Tim Douglas (Paddox) is concerned that incidences of fly-tipping will increase at an even quicker pace unless the £40 Green Bin charge is scrapped.

Councillor Tim Douglas submitted a written question to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny meeting on Thursday 8 November 2018. The response detailed that in 2015 there were 1,033 fly tipping incidents, 1,066 in 2016, 1,085 in 2017 and 1,118 in 2018.

In February 2017, a majority of Rugby Borough Council voted to start charging residents £40 for a green bin. A move that sees only garden waste collected and not food waste as the service previously provides.

Rugby Liberal Democrats tabled a motion which would have seen the green waste collection service continue for everyone for another 12 months whilst a solution was found for the sustainability and longevity of the service.

Fly-tipping is the illegal disposal of household, industrial, commercial or other 'controlled' waste without a waste management licence. The waste can be liquid or solid and controlled waste includes garden refuse and larger domestic items such as fridges and mattresses.

In August 2018, Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Eastlands) at Warwickshire County Council was informed that Rugby Borough Council is making no saving from the green bin charge.

Commenting, Councillor Tim Douglas (Paddox), said:

"The Council report clearly stated that in nearby Councils where a chargeable green waste service had been introduced, fly tipping had increased, was high or was increasing. The same thing is now happening in Rugby. Charging for green waste sends out the wrong message about waste and recycling. It's time the Conservative administration weighed up the overall benefits and reversed this badly thought out policy."

Council Report 7 February 2018

https://www.rugby.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/727/council

No saving from green bin charge

https://rugbylibdems.org.uk/en/article/2018/1275319/no-saving-from-green-bin-charge

Joint Overview and Scrutiny 8 November 2018

https://www.rugby.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/890/joint_overview_and_scrutiny_meeting