Summer has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of getting out and enjoying the best of Wales’ great outdoors. However, as temperatures soar, cases of “unintentional fly-tipping” do, too.
‘Fly-tipping’ is commonly associated with van loads of tyres, sofas, and bulky household items being left in undesignated, hidden-away locations.
However, there has recently been an increase in what is being termed ‘unintentional fly-tipping’, at beauty spots across Wales . This refers to when members of the public place bags of rubbish and waste items next to full bins and waste recycling sites.
There has also been a rise in deliberate acts of fly-tipping, such as abandoning the likes of barbecues and camping equipment at sites of natural beauty.
Here, we explore practical ways to help you enjoy your summer while protecting Wales’ beautiful environment.
Picnicking
Picnics are a great way to make the most of the sun with friends, but it's important to consider the environmental impact of our actions. Always plan ahead and bring your own bags to take your rubbish home with you; bins can easily get full at popular summer destinations with more of us out and about.
Don’t panic and buy single-use plastic cutlery and plates at short notice. Consider investing in a picnic set or choosing reusable alternatives like bamboo or stainless steel, which you can continue to use at picnics for many summers to come, saving you money in the long run and reducing waste!
Did you know leaving your rubbish next to an overfilled bin is considered fly-tipping? Avoid becoming an unintentional fly-tipper by bringing along your own bags to collect your rubbish and take it home with you.
Many supermarkets no longer sell disposable BBQs given how detrimental they can be to the environment and wildlife. If you do use a disposable BBQ, always check that you are legally allowed to use them in that area and follow the Fire Service’s disposable BBQ safety tips here.
You should also plan ahead and think about how you will responsibly dispose of the BBQ to avoid grassland fires and damage to bins.
Festivals, Camping and Hiking
Immersing ourselves in nature through camping and hiking is a great way to embrace the summer, whether it’s locally or further afield. However, an increase in people taking up these outdoor pursuits has had a negative impact on ecosystems across Wales through improper toileting, littering, and fly-tipping.
The recent trend of ‘wild camping’ has also added to the issue, with campers pitching tents and vans illegally without the landowner’s permission and leaving behind waste. To avoid this, ensure you are pitching your tent on a camping site with proper waste disposal facilities.
For lots of helpful information on how to protect the nature you’re exploring, check out the Countryside Code website.
When attending festivals, consider how you can enjoy them sustainably. Avoid buying a cheap tent with the intention of leaving it behind for the event organisers to dispose of; it is very difficult to recycle tents, and this is actually fly-tipping. Consider hiring a tent or buying a tent for repeat use; event organisers are a good starting point and will often have more sustainable options on offer.
Gardening and Landscaping
Gardening is a popular summer pastime, but it's essential to dispose of green waste responsibly. Did you know dumping green waste is considered fly-tipping? How often have we witnessed neighbours dumping green waste over walls or across the road?
Dumping garden waste in a field, forest, common land, or over the back fence may seem harmless, but the risks can be significant – not only for the environment but also for the gardener found to have fly-tipped. If you are found to have dumped your garden waste, you could face a fine for small scale fly-tipping of up to £400.
Read more about the risks of dumping green waste for the environment and how to dispose of garden waste more responsibly in our article here. Check with your local council to find out if they offer a free or chargeable garden waste collection service. If your bin is full, you can recycle garden waste at your local household waste recycling centres. For more information, check your local council website or visit Wales recycles.
Water Sports and Beach Activities
Beaches and rivers are popular summer destinations, and a quintessential part of the Welsh summer, which is why it is so important that we keep them clean and free of pollution.
Whether you’re participating in water sports or simply enjoying the beach, make sure not to throw any waste into the sea, including bottles, wrappers, or fishing lines. Use nearby waste bins or, if none are available, take your waste home with you.
If you’re passionate about protecting the environment, then a fun summer activity could be to get involved in a beach clean-up initiative and encourage others to do the same, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for everyone to enjoy. This could be done with a community group or through a national scheme such as Keep Wales Tidy.
Summer is a season for having fun, relaxing, and appreciating the beauty of nature. By adopting responsible practices and saying no to fly-tipping, we can make a positive impact on the environment.
Remember, every small step we take to prevent fly-tipping contributes to a cleaner and healthier Wales for future generations to enjoy. Let's embrace the beauty of summer responsibly and leave a positive mark on our surroundings.