Fly-tipping campaign launched by councils

Household waste, such as mattresses and old furniture, is found in the majority of fly-tipping incidents

A group of councils have launched an awareness campaign in an effort to clamp down on fly-tipping.

Essex County Council said household waste was found in more than 60% of fly tips over the last three years.

The local authority, along with nine district councils, said it wanted to make it easier for people to legally dispose of waste.

"Fly tipping is not only an eyesore – it's harmful for the environment and endangers wildlife," said Peter Schwier, the council's Conservative cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling.

"We want to make it easier to get rid of waste, either with a council service or through a licensed waste collector​."

Nicola Tansley, the community protection lead officer for Chelmsford City Council, said each fly-tipping incident cost £200 to clean up.

The campaign, called Let's S.C.R.A.P fly-tipping, was launched at County Hall on Tuesday in partnership with the district councils of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow and Maldon.

The Essex police, fire and crime commissioner and the Environment Agency have also backed the project.

Nicola Tansley, the community protection lead officer for Chelmsford City Council, said each fly-tipping incident cost £200 to clean up, with more hazardous waste costing £1,000.

"It's a big problem," she said.

"Householders have a duty of care - it's their waste until it gets to the appropriate site and if their waste is found, they can be prosecuted".

Local authorities are responsible for clearing up illegal waste on public land, but on private property, it falls on the landowner.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) says fly-tipping is the "biggest factor of crime" reported by its members.

Hamish Debnam-Sharp, the NFU Essex advisor, told the BBC: "One of the things we want to do with this campaign is to get farmers to report it so councils have a full picture of what is going on".

The campaign was due to run for three months and Essex County Council said there was more information on its Love Essex website.