Mike Jackson, chairman of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, says the key to reducing issues like fly-tipping is to simplify the process of waste disposal and provide ‘adequate’ resources for Islanders to do so.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and can result in substantial fines. However, the Constable believes the government should look at ways to prevent it from happening in the first place.
‘What you must look at from a governmental point of view is that we need to ensure there is adequate provision for people to dispose of things,’ said Mr Jackson.
‘When it becomes too difficult or too costly that is when people tend to fly-tip.
‘There’s a balance to be struck between the cost of handling rubbish and the cost of charging people to do it. We have to be careful that doesn’t get too out of hand.
‘For example, if you have some asbestos you need to get rid of, the process of trying to dispose of it is actually quite difficult. You can only do it at certain times, certain bags, etc – which some people just don’t want to bother with.
‘It should be made easier for people to dispose of their rubbish. We’re always looking at ways to improve facilities for recycling and rubbish disposal.’
Earlier this month the decision was made to close Portelet Common between the hours of 9pm and 5am following antisocial behaviour that saw the area littered with rubbish and broken glass. Anyone found within the common during these hours can be fined up to £1,000.
‘Littering is a slightly different thing, and that continues to be a problem,’ said Mr Jackson. ‘I think an education programme for people to take litter home with them is good – of course once they’ve had a few drinks that all goes out the window, which is unfair on the people that then have to clean it all up.’
St John Centenier François Le Luyer said fly-tipping was still an issue, but that a hefty fine given out last year had acted as a deterrent for the Sorel Point area – previously a ‘hot spot’ for illegal waste disposal.
‘Since that £1,000 fine, Sorel has been very good. It’s the go-kart track that’s a hot spot at the moment, so it would be nice to catch some of these people because it’s ridiculous. At Sorel it used to be on a regular basis, but since that fine there’s been nothing.’
