Borders MSP calling for change to law on fly-tipping

Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton is backing calls for the region’s recycling centres to reopen before fly-tipping gets out of hand.
Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.

The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP has written to Holyrood’s environment and post-legislative committees to ask for improvements to the current laws on fly-tipping.

She said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our countryside.

“It is completely unacceptable but even more so at this time of crisis.

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“Recycling centres must be allowed to open in the first phase of easing lockdown restrictions with the appropriate social distancing measures in place to protect staff and users.

“The polluter-pays principle should guide legislation because if someone fly-tips on private land, the landowner has to foot the bill to have it removed. This is simply unfair.

“Those who continue to abuse our countryside and illegally discard rubbish should have to face the consequences of their actions.

“If you see anyone dump rubbish illegally, report it to Zero Waste Scotland or call 101 to report it to Police Scotland.”

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Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame added: “This is a difficult time for all of us, but we owe a huge thank-you to those in the waste industry working to keep as many services running as possible.

“The safety of these workers and the general public has to be the priority, and councils also need to consider staffing shortages and physical distancing before our local recycling centres can reopen.

“While these workers do their best for us, it’s important that we continue to do what we can to help them by pitching in to crack down on illegal fly-tippers in the Borders.

“Now more than ever, we also have to responsibility for managing our waste during this period.

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“That means keeping larger items at home until the centres reopen.”

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