RESIDENTS of Waveney are being urged to dispose of any additional or bulky waste responsibly during the festive season.As people clear out the old to make way for the new and we generate more waste in the build up to the festive period, incidents of fly-tipping tend to increase.

RESIDENTS of Waveney are being urged to dispose of any additional or bulky waste responsibly during the festive season.

As people clear out the old to make way for the new and we generate more waste in the build up to the festive period, incidents of fly-tipping tend to increase.

Figures from Waveney District Council show an increase in around January.

People receive new items as presents or make purchases in the January sales, but give little regard for disposing of their old possessions. As a result, fly tipping increases with items such televisions, carpets, furniture and electrical goods being dumped irresponsibly.

Side waste, or waste put out for collection next to, instead of inside wheelie bins, also becomes a problem at this time of year. Outside the wheelie bin, bags are an obstruction. They are also prone to splitting and cause littering. In addition, they have not been sorted for recycling and will usually end up in landfill. Side waste is not picked up as part of the waste collection service and it may be treated as fly tipping, depending on the volume and severity.

Councillor Ken Sale, portfolio holder for environment said: 'There are many ways to dispose of the additional waste generated at this time of year. Residents are provided with a number of bins that can accommodate most items and any additional waste can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

'We'd like to encourage everybody to make maximum use of the available recycling facilities. Please visit the recycling pages of our website to familiarise yourself with the extensive range of items accepted in your kerbside collection. And don't forget to reduce and reuse!

'Why not flatten boxes to make more room in you bin. You can also think about your purchases and try to limit the packaging. Charity shops for example form an important part of the chain and can accept items you no longer need or unwanted Christmas presents.'

Many items of household waste that you can't put into your wheelie bins can be taken to one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres operated by the County Council.

Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk or telephone 08456 066 067 for full details. They are open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Waveney District Council operates a bulky household waste collection service for household items that do not fit in the wheeled bin, such as free-standing items of furniture like suites, beds or wardrobes; white goods like fridges, cookers or washing machines and rolls of carpet (tied or taped up).

Because special arrangements are made to collect and dispose of this waste, there is a charge of �25 for up to three freestanding items, to cover the costs.

You can arrange and pay for this service online by visiting the refuse pages of the website at www.waveney.gov.uk or alternatively call 01502 562 111 for more details.

Visit www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk for more tips and information to help you reduce the waste you produce this Christmas.

Cllr Sale continued: 'Please remember to think about the consequences of not disposing of your waste correctly. Think of how it looks, the environmental impact and those who will have to clear up after you. We are fortunate that there are so many options to reduce, reuse and recycle your waste and there really is no excuse for leaving it by the side of the road for someone else to deal with.'