A new £50,000 fund by Zero Waste Scotland has been launched to help local communities tackle problems with fly-tipping by providing them with cash to remove dumped waste and take steps to prevent future problems.

Applications for grants of between £500 and £10,000 is open to community groups, landowners and land managers who are experiencing persistent problems of fly-tipping.

The Fly-tipping Small Grants Scheme is being run by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of Zero Waste Scotland, with support from the Scottish Fly-tipping Forum.

Litter and Fly-tipping Manager for Zero Waste Scotland, Catherine Wilson, said:

"The negative impacts which can be suffered by communities affected by fly-tipping are huge. Our small grants fund is about supporting landowners and community groups who are ready to take forward action to clean up illegal dumping grounds and prevent further problems. As well as financial assistance, successful applicants will be given expert advice and support to carry out their project proposals.

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"Waste dumped in the wrong place can be hazardous to the public, damage the environment, look unsightly and can discourage business investment into an area. With around 2,500 incidents of small to medium scale fly-tipping reported in Scotland every month, many communities feel the cost of this unnecessary, unlawful activity."

Angus Council Convener of Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Jim Millar commented: "Fly-tipping is an anti-social act which spoils our towns and countryside. We encourage people with items for disposal to use one of the seven recycling centres available in Angus or to request a special uplift, not to dump them. However, this initiative by Zero Waste Scotland will help those who are persistently affected by fly-tipping on their land, and other groups, to deal with this problem."

The closing date for applications is Friday 9th September 2011.

For further information see: www.dumbdumpers.org.

(JG/CD)