Hyndburn Council’s First “Skip Day” a success, with more planned in the new year
Last month, Hyndburn Council proudly launched a new initiative called “Skip Days,” aimed at providing residents with a convenient way to dispose of their waste. The first Skip Day took place on 7th December on Avenue Parade, Accrington, and was met with great success as many residents took advantage of the opportunity to dispose of their waste responsibly.
The Council’s Cabinet committed to introducing this scheme many months ago, and thanks to a partnership with Suez to provide the skips, have now been able to do so.
Councillor Dave Parkins, Huncoat Ward Councillor said:
“I was delighted to get involved with the first of the Council’s skip days this year in my ward. It was a great turn out from residents who have approached me about providing this service in the past, and we used the opportunity to inform people about our bulky waste collection service.”
Building on this success, the Council has planned two more skip days early this year, which will be held in Great Harwood and Barnfield, with additional dates to follow. We’ll accept most types of waste excluding building waste, electrical items or chemical and hazardous waste.
This initiative is part of the Council’s broader effort to keep our streets clean and reduce fly-tipping.
In addition to Skip Days, the Council offers a free bulky waste collection service, allowing residents to have up to six items of bulky waste collected for free each month. This service can be easily arranged through the Council’s website.
Fly-tipping remains a visible issue in many areas across Hyndburn causing environmental damage and posing health risks. It is not only unsightly but also costly to clean up, diverting valuable resources away from other essential services. So far this year, the Council has issued 1476 Section 46 notices and 54 Fixed Penalty Notices related to fly-tipping.
The Council is committed to tackling this problem and urges residents to dispose of their waste responsibly. Residents must ensure that any waste disposal companies they use are licensed. Unlicensed firms offering cheap skips and backyard clearances often resort to illegal dumping or burning of waste, which can result in fines for the residents involved. Before asking any individual or business to dispose of waste on your behalf, always check that they are registered and licensed to do so.
Failure to use a licensed operator can lead to a fine, people are responsible for ensuring their waste is disposed of legally.
Councillor Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, commented on the initiative:
“We are thrilled with the positive response to our first Skip Day and are excited to continue this initiative in the new year. Providing residents with accessible waste disposal options is crucial in our fight against fly-tipping and maintaining the cleanliness of our streets. Our free bulky waste collection service is second to none. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these services.”
The Council’s bulky waste collection service can be booked here https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/bulky-waste-collections/
Check that your waste disposal operative is licensed here https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers