A Penrith recycling site is set to be removed following a number of fly-tipping incidents.
The site is based in a corner of Morrison’s car park and is now set to be removed at the request of the store’s managers.
Morrison’s own the land and had previously allowed the council to operate the recycling site on their property.
The request to remove it follows a number of fly-tipping incidents where items including old beds, mattresses and furniture were illegally dumped.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “It is very unfortunate that the irresponsible actions of these fly-tippers has led to this decision to request we remove the bring site.
“These sites are provided for people’s domestic recyclable materials that can be separated and placed in the appropriate container, and act as a supplement to the kerbside collections of materials like plastic, paper/card, cans and glass.
“They are not for use by business premises to avoid paying for a commercial waste collection and they are not for non-recyclable materials that should be taken to a household waste recycling centre.
“Dumping things like mattresses, broken toys, furniture and builder’s waste at these sites is not only unsightly and potentially dangerous, but is also fly-tipping, which is a serious criminal offence.
“We investigate every case of fly-tipping reported and, if appropriate, action will be taken. This can range from fixed penalty notices for £250 and warning letters being issued to prosecutions, potentially significant fines and even custodial sentences for the most serious offences.
“The containers at all our bring sites are emptied regularly – up to four times a week at the busiest sites – but following weekends, especially at this time of year, the containers can get quite full of recyclables, but that is never an excuse for dumping non-recyclable waste at these sites or putting non-recyclables in the containers, which contaminates the materials and means they can’t then be recycled.
“We work to ensure any fly-tipped waste is removed and sites are cleaned up as soon as possible after an incident is reported, but we fully understand the frustration of the supermarket managers in this case about the mess being made on the land outside the Penrith store.
“This serves as a reminder that many of our bring sites are located on land not owned by the council, but through agreement and negotiation with the landowner and are situated in places that are designed to be convenient for residents to access.
“If those bring sites are abused and not used correctly, there is always the risk that the landowner may request they be removed and these facilities may be lost to the community.
“Fly-tipping, wherever it occurs, is never a victimless crime. It damages wildlife, nature and the environment, creates eyesores and there is always a financial cost in the clearance, disposal and investigation of the offence, costs that are ultimately borne by the council tax payers of Westmorland and Furness.
“Residents can dispose of unwanted large items or non-recyclables by taking them to our Household Waste Recycling Centre or by contacting us to arrange collection – to find out more, visit our website.
“The nearest alternative bring site to the Morrison’s store in Penrith is located near the Sainsbury’s Store on Kilgour Street.’’
