Revealed: Fly-tipping up and tip usage down in Shropshire as recycling centre booking system blamed

A booking system to use the tips in Craven Arms, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch was introduced by Shropshire Council on November 4 last year.

However, councillors heard on Thursday (January 23) that figures regarding the use of the facilities show usage is down since the scheme was introduced.

Figures for November 2024 show the tonnage of waste processed at the centres had fallen by a quarter from the previous November.

And in December 2024, the tonnage of waste processed was down 17 per cent on the previous year.

Data also suggests that fly-tipping has risen since the controversial booking system was brought in.

Labour councillor Rachel Connolly, who represents Bridgnorth West and Tasley and sits on the council's cconomy and environment overview and scrutiny committee, said they were provided with figures regarding the usage of the Household Recycling Centres in Shropshire at their meeting on Thursday afternoon.

“A comparison from 2023 and 2024 shows usage is down since the booking system was introduced,” she said.

She added that the number of fly-tipping incidents for the three months from October to December was up from 260 in 2023 to 314 last year - an increase of just over 20 per cent.

“So less usage of the recycling centre and more reports of fly-tipping - exactly what we were all concerned about right at the start.”

Shropshire Council's deputy leader said it had been one of the authority's aims to reduce the amount of trade waste coming into the county, and that there was "no evidence" linking the new booking system to an increase in fly-tipping.

Councillor Ian Nellins, cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said: “We now have figures for the two months since the booking system was introduced and it’s clear that we’re achieving our goal of reducing the amount of trade waste, and waste from outside Shropshire, that comes into our recycling centres – saving Shropshire’s council tax payers money as a result.

"The amount of waste taken to the five centres in November 2024 was 270 tonnes (25 per cent) lower than in November 2023, and in December 2024 was 140 tonnes (17 per cent) lower than December 2023 – so a fall of 410 tonnes. This is evidence that less trade waste and waste from outside Shropshire is coming into the centres: waste that we would have had to pay to dispose of.

"There is no evidence to suggest that the increase in reports of fly-tipping is directly linked to the introduction of the booking system – in fact, in recent weeks we have been encouraging residents to report cases of fly-tipping so that we can ensure it is cleared up and that those responsible are held accountable.

“And it’s notable that in November and December a total of 55,000 vehicles visited our recycling centres, but we’ve only received 22 complaints about the booking system – which equates to 0.0004 per cent."