National Trust: fly tipping is wasting our money

Monday 16 January 2017

Public donations are being wasted on clearing inconsiderate islanders’ rubbish, the National Trust for Jersey has said.

In a post on their Facebook page, the Jersey National Trust denounced fly tipping Islanders for defiling Victoria Tower in St Martin – a site preserved by the Trust for its historic and natural significance.

“Isn’t it a shame that somebody thinks a local charity should be burdened with disposing of their waste?” it read, before adding that such behaviour, “…costs the Trust financially and in terms of man hours every year.”

While this particular incident occurred at Victoria Tower in St Martin, Lands Manager Jon Parkes told Express that it such behaviour on other Trust sites has been commonplace for many years now. 

“Fly tipping of garden waste, commercial waste and domestic waste has always been an issue since I’ve worked for the Trust, which is around 14 years now,” he said.

“Trust’s Rangers do have to clear any waste deposited on our sites as failure do so straight away, could result in further dumping. This is obviously a large burden on our staff as we only have 3 Rangers who always have plenty to do anyway.”

This “burden”, he added, has also been financial, given that the organisation is independent from the States of Jersey and therefore completely self-funded.

“As we are entirely reliant on our members and supporters, it is also unfair that that funding is used for clearing inconsiderate people's waste rather than managing some of Jersey’s most scenic areas for the public and for wildlife as it is intended for.”

Ministers are considering introducing new charges for commercial waste to incentivise recycling.

Referring to the National Trust incident, one Facebook user commented, “This is what what happens, if you charge or make it diff for people to dump legitimately. That's not to excuse it though, people should take responsibility for their rubbish like adults, and if caught doing this the punishment should be severe, but free dumping would help maybe.”

Waste policy change or not, Mr Parkes commented that the situation would be likely to continue either way.

“I would say that we already have an issue with fly tipping now. It is difficult to imagine that policy will see a reduction in it or improve the situation.” 

Eco Active Jersey are now appealing for information on the inconsiderate dumping, stressing that someone “MUST recognise the colour of this toilet” (pictured). Islanders who recognise the toilet’s unusual turquoise colour can contact Environmental Protection 709535 or email [email protected]