Council wins national award for fly-tipping success

The results of the National Recycling Awards were revealed on 27 January 2021 during a virtual ceremony where the recycling sector’s leading lights gathered online to celebrate the industry’s achievements.

Harborough District Council has won in the Campaign of the Year (up to £20k) category for its Tip Off campaign and was praised by the National Recycling Awards expert judging panel.

The judging panel said the campaign “demonstrated direct intervention into a critical issue, had a big impact and showed value for money in an effective campaign. It is a good example of taking on a challenging issue and getting the community involved.”

The Tip Off campaign aims to increase awareness of fly-tipping, and encourage reporting, and has significantly reduced incidents in the Harborough district and led to a number of prosecutions and fines for culprits.

Cllr Jonathan Bateman (pictured right), Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Environment & Waste, said: “This is a brilliant result, and credit to those behind this campaign, including our contractor FCC Environment. Tip Off has achieved real success in tackling fly-tipping across the Harborough district and we are continuing to reduce incidents of fly-tipping thanks to our ongoing work. But we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support of residents who report incidents and help provide us with the information we need to fine or prosecute those responsible for blighting the district.”

In 2018/19 there were 728 incidents of fly-tipping reported in the Harborough district. Following the re-launch of Tip Off that figure fell dramatically in 2019/20 to 484 incidents. And currently, for the 2020/21 period (up to December), the number has fallen further to 381 incidents.

The Council works closely with its contractor FCC Environment around evidence-gathering from fly-tips and has taken a proactive approach to removing fly-tips quickly where possible. There has also been an extensive campaign on social media and in newsletters and updates when people are fined or convicted of fly-tipping offences.

Corin Williams, MRW editor, said: “The standard of entries this year was very impressive indeed and the winners had to see off a lot of stiff competition. I am once again amazed at the strength and depth in the sector. 

“This has been a challenging year for us all and the commitment from the thousands of employees represented at the NRAs has been inspirational. They are keeping the country going and are lighting the way to a more resource-efficient future.”

The MRW National Recycling Awards – which were hosted on the night by comedian and Great British Bake Off regular Tom Allen – bring together recycling and waste management professionals to recognise and celebrate best practice and innovation in recycling and waste management. The awards provide industry recognition and unrivalled networking opportunities.

With 17 categories, the awards cover every aspect of the recycling and waste management industry, from Food Waste Initiative to Recycling Excellence.

In the 'Campaign of the Year' category, Harborough District Council had tough competition from Ansa Environmental Services, Bristol Waste Company, Binn Group and Speak, Viridor, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Western Civic Amenity Site Board, Isle of Wight Council, TRAID, Veolia, New West End Company and Westminster City Council.

Report fly-tipping, or find out more about Tip Off at www.harborough.gov.uk/tipoff

Pictured: Above, signs on the sides of one of the Council's refuse collection vehciles warning potential fly-tippers that we are 'watching' and using covert CCTV cameras in hotspots across the district and, below, how the National Recycling Awards announced the Harborough District Council win live on Twitter.