Business leaders from across Liverpool were last week treated to an exclusive one-off performance of a specially written play, commissioned by the Environment Agency. The play was aimed at raising awareness about the ever-increasing problem of fly-tipping.
The Agency in conjunction with LIPA (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) organised a business networking event which included the play as an essential element. This was written and designed to support and educate businesses about the problems and serious consequences of illegal waste disposal activities.
The play was aimed at informing businesses that the penalties for dumping waste are serious and can include prison sentences and fines of up to £50,000, but this is a new and novel approach to the expensive problem of fly-tipping.
Liverpool Council's costs for clearing fly-tipped waste materials exceeded £1m last year which illustrates the scale of the problem being faced in town and countryside alike.
Helen McCallum, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Environment Agency said:
"Liverpool City Council spent over £1m last year cleaning up fly-tipped waste. This is paid for by the tax payer, and I for one don’t want my taxes being spent cleaning up after waste criminals."
Arwyn Jones, National Programme Manager said at the event:
At the BREW Programme, which is funded by DEFRA, we’re using new technologies to catch waste criminals including number plate recognition and forensics. We work closely with local authorities and the police to crackdown on the dumping of illegal waste.
Tonight was part of an ongoing campaign to make sure businesses and the community in the Mersey area know what their responsibilities are. The campaign is designed to encourage and support businesses to make better use of their resources and manage their waste more efficiently helping them to save money and the environment."