The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Level of fines for fly-tippers could double
The Scottish Government promises “bold action” on flytipping, with plans for fines to be more than doubled.
A new plan proposes raising the level of fixedpenalty notice for flytipping to £500 – with a suggestion from ministers that fines could be increased further”.
It is part of a six-year environmental strategy which sets out how national and local government can work with businesses, communities and others to fix the issue.
The government plans to bring in new powers which could see vehicle owners fined if rubbish is dumped from their car or van.
In addition, councils could be given powers to issue fixed-penalty notices to householders who fail to meet a “duty of care obligation” when disposing of their waste by, for example, putting recyclable items in the wrong bin.
Ministers have promised increased action to detect fly-tippers, and enhanced support for landowners.
Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said the strategy is a “significant step forward”.
While he said it “doesn’t deliver everything we asked for” and will not “immediately reverse the decline we have recorded in cleanliness levels across Scotland”, he added it is a “positive start”.
He said: “There is no doubt urgent action is needed now and
appropriate increased investment in the future is essential if we are to revitalise our communities and clean up Scotland.”
Biodiversity and circular economy minister Lorna Slater said: “This government makes no apologies for taking bold action on tackling litter and fly-tipping.
“Enforcement is a key theme, and the strategy sets out robust commitments.”
She said the strategy is part of a wider package of measures to “tackle Scotland’s throwaway culture”, including a ban on some single-use plastic items and a commitment to introduce a charge on disposable coffee cups.
The Scottish Government has put its recycling deposit return scheme for cans and bottles on hold until 2025 at the earliest, to coincide with the UK Government’s scheme.