ISLANDERS are being encouraged to come forward with solutions to stop fly-tipping in St Brelade, following a recent incident which was described as ‘despicable’ by the parish Constable.
Mike Jackson said it is ‘difficult to understand the mentality’ of people who fail to dispose of their rubbish properly, and added that parishioners were ‘well provided for’.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and can result in substantial fines.
Mr Jackson has previously said that the key to reducing issues such as fly-tipping was to simplify the process of waste disposal and provide ‘adequate’ resources for Islanders to do so – something he believes his parish already does.
‘It is really difficult to understand the mentality of these people because they are well provided for by the parish and we give them plenty of opportunities to dispose of their rubbish properly,’ he said.
‘We would welcome feedback and would encourage people to come forward with ideas if they think we could be doing more because no one wants to see rubbish everywhere.
‘However, if it is due to pure laziness, which I think it is, then that is despicable behaviour,’ he said.
‘If you do find that one set of bins is full then there are plenty of others dotted around the parish where you can get rid of your rubbish.
‘We also have a regular kerbside recycling collection so parishioners are well provided for,’ he added.
At the end of last year Assistant Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said littering in the countryside had become a ‘persistent problem’.
His comments came after he found a radiator dumped at the side of the road in St Lawrence.
Mr Jackson’s plea to Islanders was made after a number of photos were posted on Twitter of rubbish scattered across Les Creux Country Park.
‘Unfortunately a number of people think they can throw rubbish wherever they like and as soon as we get strong winds, like we have just had, it blows everywhere and leaves us with the mess, as seen as the photos,’ he said.
Mr Jackson credited the Infrastructure Department for their ‘rapid response’ in removing the rubbish.
‘There is no regular pattern or trend of fly tipping in the parish and sometimes it is difficult to predict the volume of waste disposal at any given time.
‘You very often find that an increase in rubbish coincides with a spell of good weather, especially at places like St Brelade’s Bay and St Aubin’s Bay,’ he added.
