Cambridge and Peterborough councils are joining forces to crack down on the scourge of fly-tipping.

Over the last year, there were more than 11,000 incidents of fly-tipping across Midlands area.

RECAP, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership, has launched the SCRAP campaign – initially developed by the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership – to address this costly issue.

SCRAP stands for: Suspect all waste carriers; Check with the Environment Agency; Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away; Ask what will happen to your waste; and Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt.

‘Fly-tipping is illegal, it affects our environment and poses risks to humans, livestock and wildlife. It’s becoming a big problem, and it’s tarnishing our beautiful county,’ said Cllr Mathew Shuter, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways and infrastructure committee.

‘Through this campaign we are highlighting the simple steps everyone needs to take when it comes to disposing of household or business waste.

‘With two thirds of fly-tipping coming from households, I urge residents to check what their local waste disposal options are – by visiting Household Recycling Centres with their household waste, looking into official bulky-collection services and using skip hire services which are widely available.

‘By working together we can help ‘SCRAP’ fly-tipping in Cambridgeshire.’

According to the Local Government Association, fly-tipping has increased by 39.6% since 2012/13, up from 714,637 to 997,553 in 2017/18.