A successful pilot scheme run by Sandwell Council to clean up fly-tipping hotspots has been extended after it was deemed that a multi-team approach was far more effective than previous methods.
Environment Response Team on Sandwell parkland
During the pilot scheme, which ran from January to August 2022, the Environment Response Team were sent to various sites across six towns in the borough that had significant problems and possible health and safety issues.
Sandwell Council report that over 750 vans were filled with general rubbish and green waste in the clean-up, as well as 184 vans of woodchipped waste which was then re-used across various great spaces.
Councillor Zahoor Ahmed, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said:
“We all want to live and work in a clean and safe Sandwell. The pilot has demonstrated how efficient and successful this multi-team, collaborative approach can. This approach can lead to communities being able to reclaim pride in their own neighbourhoods and work together with the council to continue to maintain the improved areas.”
According to feedback, residents were happy with the efforts of the Environment Response team and businesses will benefit from the cleaner areas.
Residents are being urged to continue to report any fly-tipping incidents, while environmental protection officers will continue to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £400.