Suffolk litter-picker on rise in fly-tipping in Ipswich

According to new data released from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the number of fly-tipping incidents reported, and fixed penalty notices issued, has increased in the last two years in Ipswich.

The number of incidents rose from 938 in 2021/22 to 1,034 in 2022/23, and the number of fixed penalty notices issued from 22 to 31 in the same time period.

However, in Suffolk the number of incidents overall has fallen slightly, from 4,086 in 2021/22 to 3,710 in 2022/23.

Jason Alexander, founder of Rubbish Walks, has been litter-picking and organising community events for tackling litter for more than 10 years in Suffolk.

Jason Alexander of Rubbish Walks (Image: Newsquest)

He believes more education is needed to tackle the issues of fly tipping and littering.

Mr Alexander said: “I have been litter-picking for several years and the amount of rubbish does not seem to be improving. It still feels as bad as it has ever been.

"This is not to say that the efforts from the Rubbish Walks volunteers or the other fantastic groups and individuals doing litter picking aren't making an impact.

"We can only imagine what the situation would be like if we didn't have all these volunteers going out and helping the council keep on top of things.

READ MORE: 24-hour litter pick from 'selfless' Jason after wife's cancer diagnosis

"The only way to tackle this issue is to share responsibility. We decide how to dispose of our belongings. We can decide as an individual or group to get together in our local area and pick up rubbish.

Mr Alexander campaigns to clear Suffolk's streets (Image: Newsquest)

“We can educate people as to how to dispose of their waste properly – if they have things that don’t fit into their bins, where they should go.

"It would be lovely to see littering and fly-tipping incidents reduce. We must keep working together, highlighting the issue, and nudging people in the right direction."