'Sad and selfish' fly-tippers are shame of Ross-shire amid coronavirus lockdown; Closure of Highland Council recycling centres 'no excuse' for dumping; NFU Scotland warns of 'huge risk to the health of livestock'
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A SURGE in reports of fly-tipping across Ross-shire during the coronavirus lockdown has sparked a no-nonsense warning to "selfish and unscrupulous" dumpers putting the wellbeing of others at risk.
In a heartfelt appeal, a farmer who spent five hours at one of his busiest times of the year clearing rubbish tipped next to farmland, and at an Easter Ross seaside beauty spot, urged people not to turn a blind eye to the ultimate dumping ground chosen by dodgy dealers looking to profit from the situation.
Recent incidents have been recorded in the heart of Fortrose, on forestry land next to a Black Isle visitor attraction and in the Easter Ross seaboard villages. Masses of household waste was recovered this week from Nigg Beach, metres from the sea at a protected wildlife habitat.
But suggestions the temporary closure of Highland Council recycling centres is at the root of the problem met an angry response from one veteran councillor.
Cromarty Firth representative Maxine Smith said: "If people are actually travelling to dump waste I find that very sad and selfish. They are well aware of why recycling centres have had to close. These are not normal times. Many council employees are either off sick, self-isolating or have been seconded to other jobs within the council. The people who are doing it are obviously selfish and unscrupulous and bear no thought for their fellow man."
Easter Ross farmer Robert Mackenzie, this week thanked by locals taking the time to clear up at Nigg Beach and on farmland next to roads, has shifted fridges, microwaves, nappies, strimmers, car parts and general waste. He said: "It's amazing what people are brazen enough to dump."
To anyone tempted to turn a blind eye when agreeing to pay for cheap disposal, he said: "It's not just wrong and unsightly but things like soiled nappies, batteries, glass and paint can be dangerous to children, animals and the marine environment.There are consequences of these actions.
"People seeing the pictures in the paper might think twice before letting someone take it off their hands cheaply."
Recycling centres will remain closed on government guidance. Householders are asked to store waste responsibly meantime.
Carron McDiarmid, executive chief officer for Communities and Place, told the Journal: "Fly-tipping is an antisocial behaviour that blights our communities. Anyone who does it is acting illegally and could receive a fixed penalty notice, or the procurator fiscal has the power to fine up to £40,000.
“The public can help by acting as the eyes and ears of their local community so we urge anyone who notices fly tipping to report it, so it can be dealt with.”
The local authority only has a responsibility to clear up fly-tipped rubbish from its own land, leaving private landowners to their own devices.
A spokewoman for Nigg and Shandwick Community Council said problems at Nigg Beach and Shandwick had escalated since lockdown. She appealed for locals to flag concerns which would be followed up with police and council.
Balintore and Hilton Community Council has also voiced concerns and thanked Highland Council and local volunteers for helping clear recent dumping.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council voiced disappointment after household rubbish was dumped next to recycling bins in Station Square. "One has to ask who they expect to deal with all their rubbish?", it said. Shona Dryburgh urged others via its Facebook page: "We are in a pandemic that has killed thousands. We're not on holiday. The centres are closed for very valid reasons."
NFU Scotland warned irresponsible tipping near fields, laybys, and country roads "poses a huge risk to the health of livestock". Welfare officer Penny Middleton said: “It is so disappointing to see people continuing to use our beautiful countryside as a giant tip but, with the upturn in the weather and people working in their gardens, the surge in garden waste being dumped will result in animals dying."
Fly-tipping can also be reported via the Dumb Dumpers website www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/DumbDumpers
Related: 'Don't be taken in by offers of cheap disposal'
30 bags of rubbish tipped at Black Isle visitor attraction
New rules at recycling centres as coronavirus lockdown rolled
