Fears over fly-tipping due to recycling rule

A litter picking group fears fly-tipping will continue after a city council introduced new rules at its recycling centre.

Peterborough City Council has brought in new government legislation at its Fengate site, meaning people no longer have to pay to get rid of small-scale DIY waste.

However, only two 50 litre bags of waste or two large items can be brought to the site per visit - with only four visits allowed over four weeks.

Harry Machin, who founded Peterborough Litter Wombles, said it should be "easier" for people to recycle. The council said it did not envisage a rise in fly-tipping, adding it was "up to residents to dispose of their waste correctly and legally".

Mr Machin started the voluntary group in 2021. So far this year, the group has collected more than 4,000 bags of litter and an equal amount of bulkier waste.

"As volunteer litter pickers, we regularly find these and other excluded items dumped in undergrowth all over Peterborough," Mr Machin said.

"The harder they make it, more fly-tipping there's going to be.

"There is not enough deterrents. They can dump it and there are no consequences for them.

"They should make it easier for people to dispose waste and encourage them to take it to the centre, rather than making it difficult."

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "We do not envisage an increase in fly-tipping.

"We know that investigative findings point towards smaller traders advertising clearances cheaper than regulated business, resulting in waste being given to non-registered waste carriers who might dispose of it illegally.

"It is up to residents to dispose of their waste correctly and legally."