A total of 24 people have been issued with fines
More than 20 people have been fined after they were caught fly-tipping next to charity donation banks. The rubbish was found in the recycling bank area in the Cambourne Morrisons car park, outside Home Bargains.
The site has been a hotspot for repeated dumping involving bag of unwanted items being left next to the banks when they were full. Other items including vacuum cleaners, TVs, mattresses, furniture, and child seats have been chucked next to the recycling bank, none of which could be recycled there. The charity banks have now been removed.
Now, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Envirocrimes Enforcement Team has taken action, issuing 24 Fixed Penalty notices for fly-tipping, littering, and ‘duty of care.’ Eleven cases are continuing to be investigated.
The Council’s Envirocrimes Enforcement Team is now carrying out visits to charity and recycling bank sites across South Cambridgeshire – speaking with people using them and giving advice. The aim is to help keep these areas clean and tidy, identify any emerging problems early, and work with site operators to reduce the risk of waste being left beside the banks.
The council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Laurence Damary-Homan, said: “We know people in Cambourne were frustrated by rubbish being left beside these bring banks and it is an issue nationally. Most residents use them responsibly, they provide income for good causes, and they’re a convenient recycling option.
“But leaving items next to full bring banks or dumping unwanted goods is fly-tipping and is simply not acceptable. If there is no room in a container, please take your items home and return another day or use a Household Recycling Centre. If they get misused, they’ll be removed as we’ve seen in Cambourne.
“Our officers investigate to identify those responsible wherever possible, and we will continue to issue fines and pursue prosecutions where we can. At the same time, our Envirocrimes Enforcement Team is carrying out visits to recycling and charity bank sites across South Cambridgeshire to help keep them clean and tidy.
“Fly-tipping harms communities and the environment. We will continue to investigate incidents and take action against offenders to protect South Cambridgeshire.”
In a joint statement, District Councillors for Cambourne, Cllr Michael Booth, Cllr Helene Leeming and Cllr Amber Thomas saidd: “Most people in Cambourne take pride in our town and are thoroughly sick of seeing fly-tipping. Not only is it an eyesore and a public health issue, it also comes at a cost to local taxpayers and businesses, who ultimately have to pay for the waste to be cleared up. Fly-tipping wastes people’s time and money and takes resources away from other priorities.
“That’s why the Council is taking action against those who fly-tip, including issuing fines where offenders are identified. As Cambourne’s local representatives we hope this sends a clear message that fly-tipping has a real cost to our community. We all have a responsibility to dispose of our waste properly and keep Cambourne clean.”


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