Stronger action on Fly Tipping

South Lanarkshire is a beautiful county, but too often our streets and country lanes are scarred by fly tipping. It’s illegal, brings an area down, can be dangerous and is expensive for landowners and the council to clear up. In this year’s council budget, South Lanarkshire’s only Green councillor supported a re-introduction of one free bulky uplift and proposed £2 million for more enforcement staff and funding for barriers, fines, CCTV and reuse and repair initiatives. Unfortunately, this llatter proposal did not get the support of other councillors but Kirsten will keep pushing for more action. However, she did secure a trial of free compost bins, helping you to avoid the garden waste charge and produce free fertiliser for your garden: double saving!

Whilst we must all be responsible for our waste, here are a few things you can do to help clean up, save money, learn a new skill or help others at the same time:

• Report fly tipping: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/746 or call 0303 123 1015
• Reduce: Can someone else use it? Donate it. Sell it. Via local websites / social media sites, selling sites, charity shops and foodbanks. Reuse and recycling directory here: https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/recycling-locator.
• Re-use: Don’t tip it, upcycle it or fix it and learn a new skills in the process: Find out how to repair on youtube or head along to your local repair / repurpose initiatives at https://climateactionlanarkshire.net/themes/waste
• Compost your garden, fruit and veg waste, save on the garden waste charge and make your own garden compost: double saving! More info here. Watch out for a free compost bin giveaway, secured by Green Councillor, Kirsten Robb.
• Recycle: Find out what you can recycle at home at https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200156/bins_and_recycling. Watch out for the free compost bin giveaway, coming soon, secured by South Lanarkshire’s Green councillor and saving you on garden waste collection.
• Last resort: Book a slot at the Civic Amenity Site https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200135/bins_recycling_and_uplifts/2227/household_waste_and_recycling_centre_booking_system or order a bulky uplift at https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200155/uplifts/26/special_bulk_uplifts. Only put out your waste on the day before the uplift at the earliest to avoid animals or people spreading your waste around. If you are infirm or disabled and need help or don’t have internet access to book slots or uplifts, please speak call 0303 123 1020.
• Help litter pick: The council can lend you litter pickers and bags to help you clean up your local patch. The council will also uplift the waste you collect. Request support here: Community clean-up support – South Lanarkshire Council. Join a local litter group to get support or join local events.
• Business and trade waste: Information on business responsibilities and support here