Civic amenity sites on the Isle of Man have increased disposal fees to combat rising fly-tipping concerns and manage hazardous waste.
Douglas: So, the Isle of Man has decided to hike up the fees for getting rid of old electrical stuff. This change kicked in on January 2, and it’s all about following new government rules.
They first mentioned this at the Western Civic Amenity Site, but Douglas City Council brought it up again for the Eastern Civic Amenity Site, which is near Kewaigue Hill.
Now, if you want to toss out a regular fridge, it’ll set you back £53. And if it’s a big one, you’re looking at £128. Other items aren’t cheap either—like £23 for a TV and £14 for a laptop.
Even washing machines and cookers have hefty fees, with some costing over £40. The government says these changes are necessary to keep up with the rising costs of handling hazardous waste.
But here’s the kicker: people are worried this will lead to more fly-tipping. There have been more reports of folks dumping everything from old fridges to construction debris, and many are upset about the high disposal costs.
Bill Dale, who runs a charity called Beach Buddies, is really concerned. He thinks we need to tackle this issue head-on. He suggests that if disposal fees were included in the price of appliances, it might stop people from dumping them illegally.
He also believes that enforcing strict penalties could help deter fly-tipping. Plus, he’s all about protecting the island’s beautiful environment, especially since it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
In other news, the Malew Parish Commissioners are asking locals for help with three abandoned Christmas trees left in their car park. They’re warning that fly-tippers could face fines of up to £2,500.
If you see any fly-tipping or littering, you should report it to your local authority or call the police. You can find the contact numbers on the government website.
