New online reporting tool launched to tackle fly-tipping in East Ayrshire
Residents will be able to tell the council the exact location and nature of anything that has been dumped
Last updated 16th Jun 2021
A rise in fly tipping across East Ayrhire is being addressed through a new online tool.
The fly-tipping reporting system will allow residents to upload a photograph of any fly-tipping they find in the region, pinpoint its exact position on a map and provide any further information, including the type of material that has been dumped and whether or not it is hazardous.
The Council will then clean up the rubbish and investigate environmental crime.
The online reporting system's being launched following a successful trial
Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Older People and Community Safety said: “Tackling environmental crime is a key priority for East Ayrshire Council and online reporting will help to make the collection and investigation of fly-tipping more efficient. We ran a trial of the new system at the end of last year in New Farm Loch, Kilmarnock. It went well and with feedback from the local elected members, we made some tweaks to the system, which I am delighted to say is now live.
“The online reporting system is on the front page of our website so it is easy to access from a smartphone, while you are out and about, and is straightforward to use.
“The online reporting system is one part of an extensive programme of targeted action by the Council, in partnership with Police Scotland. The introduction of quad bikes has had a significant impact, allowing the Police, the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Unit and Greener Communities team to carry out patrols and investigations quickly and effectively. We want East Ayrshire to be cleaner, greener and vibrant and are committed to doing everything we can to make this a reality.”
The tool is needed following a rise in fly tipping in the region
Speaking to West FM News Team leader of pollution control Bill Gilchrist said: “I think it’s fair to say we’ve seen a rise in “man with a van” type activities. We are getting essentially vanloads of materials dumped. This can be a wide range of materials from domestic appliances, furniture, carpeting, garden waste, asbestos and other hazardous waste, and scrap tyres.”
“I don’t understand the mentality of people who do this kind of thing. The council provides excellent facilities for the disposal of waste.”
Another element of the online platform is the ability for the council to keep feedback to those who want it about what has been done about waste they’ve reported. Bill said: “I think it’s important that people are acknowledged when they take the time and the effort to report these things to the council, because it is a blight on our landscape and it’s something we really do need to address.”