A RISE in fly-tipping during the first weeks of this year has prompted council officials in Waveney to urge people to be more responsible as we go into 2010.

A RISE in fly-tipping during the first weeks of this year has prompted council officials in Waveney to urge people to be more responsible as we go into 2010.

Households clearing out the old to make way for the new are cited as a reason behind the increase in reported incidents of illegal dumping around Lowestoft and the rest of the district.

So Waveney council this week appealed to everyone to dispose of any additional or bulky waste responsibly.

Fly-tipping figures just released for January show that there were 72 reported incidents, compared with a yearly average of 42.

Problem items left discarded in public places at this time of year can be anything from televisions to carpets, furniture and electrical goods.

Some people also leave waste for collection next to, instead of inside, wheelie bins. And the council has reminded householders that 'side waste' is not picked up as part of the refuse service and may be treated as fly-

tipping, depending on the volume and severity.

Ken Sale, Waveney's 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, and don't forget to reduce and reuse.'

Many items of household waste that you cannot put into your wheelie bins can be taken to one of the household waste recycling centres operated by Suffolk County Council.

Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk or telephone 08456 066 067 for full details and opening hours.

Waveney operates a bulky household waste collection service for items that do not fit into the wheelie bin, such as free-standing items of furniture, suites, beds or wardrobes; white goods, such as fridges, cookers or washing machines; and rolls of carpet, either 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 free-standing items to cover the costs.

You can arrange and pay for the service online by visiting www.waveney.gov.uk or telephone 01502 562111 for more

details.