Fly tipping / Environmental
SmartWater is partnering with Local Authorities nationwide on an innovative scheme to proactively tackle the growing problem of fly-tipping.
According to figures gathered by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of fly-tipping incidents reported by Local Authorities in 2007-08 exceeded 1.2 million nationally. The clearance costs for removing this volume of waste has been estimated at more than £72million. This underlines the necessity for a proactive approach to deter the dumping of waste. Local Authorities are increasingly turning to SmartWater’s forensic solution to mark domestic and commercial waste which they believe is at risk of being illegally discarded.
SmartWater is a unique and robust forensic marking system, which unlike DNA-based markers is highly resistant to extreme temperatures and, crucially, to direct sunlight – making it the perfect tool to combat this UK-wide problem which is blighting the countryside. Once marked, any SmartWatered waste can be traced back to its owner and to the person charged with its proper disposal. The risk management model that SmartWater has created has already led to successful convictions in Sussex and Kent which will act as a major deterrent to other would-be offenders operating locally.