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Councils are urging magistrates to come down harder on fly-tippers who end up in court.
Writing to the Magistrates Association, all 13 Kent councils, together with Kent Resource Partnership, have demanded clearer understanding of how sentences are determined and what can be done to achieve harsher punishments for offenders.
It comes amid changes to visits to recycling sites across Kent and Medway as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, with all slots now having to be pre-booked and limited to just two per calendar month.
Concerns have also been raised about the role of organised crime groups in this type of environmental offending and how money made from fly-tipping can be used to fund other criminal activities.
Fly-tipping carries a maximum fine of £50,000 and a five-year jail term – but a study has found such punishments are rarely dished out.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the environment at Swale council, said: “We are pleased to be involved with the other 12 Kent councils and the Kent Resource Partnership to crack down on waste crime.
“We’ve attended and cleared away almost 2,000 incidences of fly tipping already this year and are working hard to clean up the mess that is left behind for local people to deal with.
“Despite our efforts, there has been an increase in fly-tipping this year and we urge the courts to deliver greater punishment for the criminals who repeatedly break the law in this way.
“Not only are they duping the people who think they are having their waste taken away by a reputable person or company, but they are ruining the local environment for everybody.”
It is believed more than 90% of fly-tipped waste in the county could have been disposed of for free at one of the household waste recycling centres or from a kerbside collection.
Cllr Eddie Thomas, deputy cabinet member for the environment at the council, said: “Household waste and recycling centres are now open, so there is no excuse for people to dispose of their waste illegally.
“We will also come to your home and collect beds, mattresses, sofas, televisions and computer monitors, white goods, carpets and lawnmowers as part of our bulky item collection service ”
For tip slots click here or for a bulky waste collection call 01795 417888.
