1. One way people can help tackle flytipping is to report any incidents to Mendip District Council as soon as possible – report a description of the location, type of waste and any suspicious activity around the site, to Mendip District Council on 01749 648999.

2. Ensure that you only use licenced waste carriers to dispose of or recycle any waste from your property, rather than use cheap cowboys who will probably flytip the waste. The Environment Agency’s website – http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/waste/flytipping/default.aspx enables a search by local authority (look for ‘Mendip’) but it is quicker to call the Environment Agency on 0370 8506506 to check if your contractor has a waste carrier registration… 

The EA website states: “if you hire contractors such as builders and allied trades, landscape gardeners, tree fellers and surgeons, house clearers, retail establishments or scrap metal merchants who are removing waste items from your property, these people will normally need a waste carrier registration.  Ask your contractor if they’re a registered waste carrier and ask for their waste carrier number. Contact us on 0370 8506506 and ask for a Waste Carrier Validation Check. You can also do this online by checking the Authorised Waste Carriers register. If your contractor is not registered, you should refuse their services and request that they seek advice from the Environment Agency.”

3. Sign the petition on http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/keep-recycling-centres-in-somerset-open-every-day-and-reduce-tip-taxes to try and increase the opening hours and reduce tip taxes at Somerset’s household waste and community recycling centres.