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What is fly-tipping? -

By definition, fly-tipping, or illegal dumping, is the disposal of waste illegally instead of using an authorized method of collection.

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Illegal dumping of waste -

Fly-tipping can also be defined as the unauthorized deposit of any waste onto land, including waste dumped or tipped on a site with no license to accept waste.

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Fly-tipping and littering -

Fly-tipping is not the same as littering, where materials often associated with smoking, eating, and drinking are dropped indiscriminately.

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What's the difference? -

However, emptying a domestic garbage bin with no permission in a public or private area can be classified as illegal dumping.

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Why is it called fly-tipping? -

The term fly-tipping is derived from the verb "tip," in this case meaning "to throw out of a vehicle," and "on the fly," meaning to "discard spontaneously or carelessly."

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Global problem -

Fly-tipping is a worldwide issue. It's estimated that there are nearly 100 million tons of illegally dumped waste globally. Americans alone are estimated to illegally dump almost 1.5 million tons of trash each year, according to Dumpsters.com.

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Types of waste dumped -

Types of waste typically dumped include building materials from construction sites, household appliances, automobile parts, and furniture.

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Commonly discarded material -

Tires, household garbage, mattresses, and even medical waste also rank among commonly discarded material.

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Where is waste dumped? -

Fly-tipping usually takes place in remote areas where perpetrators are unlikely to be seen. Isolated country lanes and wooded areas are favorite dumping grounds.

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Other favorite dumping grounds -

So too are rivers and lakes, vacant lots, alleys, and deserted highways.

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Causes of fly-tipping -

Why do people indulge in this illegal practice? Various reasons have been put forward, the most prevalent being a shortage of legal disposal options.

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Too expensive -

A shortage of waste disposal options drives demand for waste removal services that in turn increase prices. Some people simply aren't willing to pay a premium for having their garbage removed legally.

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Cheapest option -

People therefore turn to disposing of waste in unauthorized areas to save money.

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Weak deterrents -

While high disposal costs can discourage some in getting rid of their waste in a proper manner, it's also the fact that a lack of monitoring by some authorities or punishments has encouraged people to break the law.

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The human factor -

And then there's the human factor. Simple laziness and a can't-be-bothered attitude can also be blamed for the prevalence of fly-tipping.

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Blighted landscape -

Fly-tipping is a nuisance in more ways than one. The unchecked dumping of garbage makes an area look ugly and rundown.

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Negative effects -

A neighborhood blighted by rubbish is also one with a negative stigma attached to it. The perception is one of seediness and, in some quarters, perhaps even danger.

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Threats to mental health -

Research suggests that illegal dumping creates mental health challenges. Exposure to littered environments can evoke feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression, according to Environmental Health News.

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Threats to physical health -

Physical well-being is also impacted by fly-tipping. Uncontrolled illegal waste disposal can be hazardous to the public. Those living near illegally dumped waste are often prone to respiratory issues, among a raft of other potential health problems.

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Garbage can spread disease -

A buildup of waste can spread germs and bacteria into the community. More seriously, vermin can serve as vectors of disease.

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Home for mosquitos -

A frequently dumped material, old tires provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos due to stagnant water collected within rims.

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The hazards of fly-tipping -

Hazardous waste, for example toxic materials or asbestos, is especially detrimental to health and can in fact be life-threatening.

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Water pollution -

And it's not just society that suffers. The environment is increasingly under threat from illegal dumping. An estimated 60% of water pollution is caused by garbage, and that percentage is increasing.

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Contaminated water sources -

Runoff and hazardous waste can work its way into streams, rivers, lakes, and drinking water, contaminating watercourses with far-reaching consequences.

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Degrading water and soil quality -

Fly-tipping can quickly degrade water and soil quality to the extent that entire ecosystems can be adversely affected. And it's always possible that harmful chemicals could make their way into the food chain by contaminating crops.

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Detrimental to wildlife -

Wildlife is not immune to fly-tipping. Animals can ingest waste after coming across dumped garbage on land or at sea.

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Risk to birdlife -

The scourge of discarded plastic is well documented. But wildlife, and especially birds, can end up swallowing other damaging debris, sharp implements for example, or shards of glass, while visiting a dump site.

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Burning rubbish -

The illegal dumping of waste also presents a potential fire hazard. Trash may release combustible gases. Left unchecked, this increases the chances of spontaneous combustion.

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Financial implications -

Fly-tipping is an irresponsible act akin to vandalism. Beyond the damage it can cause to your health and that of the environment, illegal dumping in urban and residential areas can actually devalue property prices.

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Cleanup costs -

The financial costs of combating fly-tipping are astronomical. According to a Keep America Beautiful survey, the United States alone spends more than US$11.5 billion each year dealing with illegal dumping. And that's a figure mostly met by tax payers.

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Who's responsible? -

Local authorities are charged with investigating, clearing, and taking responsibility for large-scale fly-tipping. On private land it is normally the responsibility of the landowner to remove the waste.

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Keeping countries clean -

Governments can implement education campaigns to help mitigate illegal dumping and promote environmental awareness. More directly, members of the public are encouraged to join nonprofits that organize community cleanups in areas spoiled by fly-tipping.

Sources: (Dumpsters.com) (Environmental Health News) (Greentumble) (Keep America Beautiful) (Keep Britain Tidy)

See also: Cities with the worst air pollution in 2024

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