East Lothian experienced a large increase in fly tipping in 2024, with a spike in reported instances of rubbish dumped in rural locations as the year wore on.
Fly-tipping incidents increased by 39.5 per cent to 226 from April to June 2024 compared to 162 in January to March of the same year, according to East Lothian Council data.
Their report adds: “The majority of the materials deposited remain as bulky waste including large household items.”
The increase in fly tipping coincides with the closure of the Macmerry Recycling Centre in October 2023, which saw pushback in 2024 when over 2000 East Lothian locals signed a petition for it to be reopened.
Local MSP Craig Hoy blamed both East Lothian council and also “rogue traders and lazy individuals” for the increase.
Edinburgh Live reported on major incidents of fly tipping throughout the year, revealing entire kitchen refurbs left on the side of coastal roads and including testimony from outraged locals.
A refrigerator and freezer were fly tipped on Myles Farm Road in Tranent.
(Image: Supplied)
On November 16, a kitchen refurbishment was dumped on Myles Farm Road in Tranent, sparking outrage from residents.
The pile of debris contained a refrigerator, a freezer, insulation, and even a car registration plate.
Residents called the practice “disrespectful” and “disgusting.”
A few weeks later on December 2, a massive heap of rubbish was fly tipped in front of the entrance to Amisfield Walled Garden in Haddington, branded “horrible and disgusting” by locals”.
An image taken of the rubbish shows spilled paint cans among heaps of trash dumped in the road leading to the East Lothian beauty spot.
Amisfield Walled Garden shared on social media at the time: “There is pedestrian access only at Amisfield today.
“Sadly, we have been the victim of fly tipping.”
Rubbish was fly tipped in Butterdean Wood near Tranent and Haddington.
(Image: Supplied)
The incidents have continued even nearing the new year as a pile of refuse was discovered in Butterdean Wood in Haddington on December 15.
Marjie, a Haddington resident who found the rubbish on a morning walk, told Edinburgh Live: “I can’t understand who people think this is OK. It’s utterly disgraceful and selfish. The council also has a role to play, and closing recycling centres is not helping.”
An East Lothian MSP has lead the charge against fly tipping in the area.
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Craig Hoy launched the petition calling for the Macmerry Recycling Centre to be reopened, and has also taken aim at “lazy individuals” who dispose of rubbish illegally.
Craig Hoy MSP said: “I am deeply concerned by the quantity of reports of fly-tipping that I am receiving in my inbox and seeing on social media from concerned residents.
“It is simply unacceptable that this is occurring. I warned East Lothian Council this would happen when the Macmerry Recycling Centre was closed last year, and it appears to be materialising.
“Of course, this is not just due to the Recycling Centre closure; it is rogue traders and lazy individuals who do not responsibly dispose of their rubbish. There is simply no excuse to ever fly tip, and I will work with all relevant agencies to ensure this situation is resolved.”
Craig Hoy MSP launched a petition to reopen the Macmerry Recycling Centre.
(Image: Supplied)
An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Whilst there has been a recent increase in reports of fly-tipping, this has coincided with the implementation of three-weekly bin collections, a new booking system at civic amenity sites, and an optional charge scheme for garden waste collection.
“A new reporting service has also been introduced to better record and map where incidents of fly-tipping occur.
“There is no excuse for fly-tipping as there are both household and commercial waste sites available across the Lothians. East Lothian Council works alongside local and national partners in addressing the issue of fly-tipping and will seek to identify those responsible to take appropriate enforcement action.”
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