With two thirds of illegally dumped waste in Wales coming from households, Fly-tipping Action Wales is urging home owners, landlords and DIY enthusiasts taking part in National Spring Cleaning Week (March 14-20) to make sure that they use a registered waste carrier to collect any unwanted large household items or to donate them to a local charity store.

Gary Evans, programme manager at Fly-tipping Action Wales, explained: “Spring tends to be the time of year when it is out with the old and in with the new, but all too often these unwanted items such as old fridges, TVs and sofas, end up illegally dumped across our beautiful countryside. Last year, there were over 800 fly-tipping incidents in Pembrokeshire at a clean-up cost to the tax payer of £43,000.

“This year, to help tackle the threat of fly-tipping, we’re harnessing National Spring Cleaning Week to remind home owners and landlords to always use a registered waste carrier to remove unwanted household items. You can do this by always asking where they are taking your waste and by checking that they are a registered waste carrier on the Natural Resources Wales website.

“As householders, we all have a social and legal responsibility to make sure that waste from our homes is disposed of properly. If you don’t and your waste is found dumped, you could be fined up to £5,000.”

One solution for getting rid of unwanted large household items responsibly is through donation to local charities. There are dozens across Wales with many now able to collect large items free of charge from your home.

Jenny at FRAME, a Pembrokeshire reuse charity who offer employment work practice and training opportunities to people with disabilities in Pembrokeshire, says: “We collect most household items from unwanted furniture, clothes, children’s books and toys free of charge. Many of the items we receive are perfectly fine to use as they are, and there is no reason why they should end up dumped illegally or in landfill. Each year, with your help, FRAME diverts over 1,888 tonnes from landfill. We also take great satisfaction in receiving slightly damaged items and giving them a new lease of life from our workshop.”

For further advice and guidance on how to dispose of large unwanted items legally and responsibly this spring, visit www.flytippingactionwales.org