Firstly we all know what a landfill site is. Many of you might even live near one turned into a rugby pitch or park. But why did people create landfills in the first place? And what problems could these sites cause for future generations?
History of landfilling
People first disposed of waste in soil-covered pits on Crete around 3000 BC. However, in the US and Europe, cities mainly dumped waste in the streets until the 1800s. Back then, people linked poor environmental conditions to disease outbreaks. In 1875, the UK passed the Public Health Act, requiring households to use dustbins. Eventually local authorities then took on waste removal and disposal responsibilities. Hence this law helped create the modern landfill system we know today.
Historic landfills, climate change and environmental risk
Climate change will bring more frequent and stronger storms. It will also cause more river and coastal flooding, along with rising sea levels. If we don’t act, many coastal areas could lose land to erosion over the next 100 years. Right now, 28% of the English and Welsh coastline erodes by at least 10 cm each year. These changes pose serious risks to communities and the environment.
Latest headlines from studies by academics have now uncovered the real problems that are alarming!
Landfill dumps across UK ‘at risk of leaking hazardous chemicals’
Exclusive: Academics warn of ‘toxic time-bomb’ facing Britain with sites under threat from flooding or coastal erosion Therefore thousands of landfill dumps around the UK are at risk of being compromised by flooding and coastal erosion, ultimately sparking fears that dangerous substances could spill into rivers, streets and beaches, academics warn.
The UK faces a “toxic time bomb” after an analysis of its ageing dumps revealed that 2,946 are located in flood plains, experts say. Read on…
Let The Rubbish Removers help you to remove and dispose of your waste ethically. Get in touch.
When Chris started The Rubbish Removers 20 years ago, he built the company on three core values. First, he wanted to operate ethically and protect the environment through responsible rubbish clearance. Second, he aimed to exceed legal requirements and go beyond the basics of our license. Most importantly, he promised to deliver outstanding service to every customer, domestic or commercial no matter the job size. Many business quotes inspire us, but here are two that guide everything we do:
“Don’t think what’s the cheapest way to do it or what’s the fastest way to do it…think ‘what’s the most amazing way to do it,,
“Train your staff well so they can leave but treat your staff well so they don’t want to”
How our customers have helped us to expand
Since starting with just two people, both still work with us today. In the meantime, two more generations have joined the company. We believe that says a lot about who we are. As we grow and the market changes, we stay true to our three core values and guiding quotes. This focus helps us stay ahead and deliver a personal, tailored service for every rubbish clearance. From the first phone call to the final clearance, we make sure every customer—commercial or domestic—gets the best. Using this approach, we are confident we can provide the best possible rubbish removal service to each and every customer.
In 2018 our Reviews Page has been inundated with fantastic reviews across the board praising each and every one of us and we can’t thank you, our customers enough! Not only does it give confidence to future customers that we are the best in the business, it also gives all our team a much appreciated pat on the back and confirms we are reaching the level of service we aim to provide.
We would like to say a big thank you to all our customers for your continued support over the last 20 years.
On April 19, 2018, just before Earth Day, Commonwealth leaders proposed phasing out single-use plastics. This plan targets plastic drinking straws, which often can’t be recycled. These straws harm oceans, damaging ecosystems and wildlife. In the UK alone, people use and throw away about 23 million straws every day.
Did you know people have used drinking straws for centuries? However, they only became popular during the 1800s Industrial Revolution. Fashion and dining traditions in 19th-century Europe and the US helped boost their popularity. Straws stayed popular, especially after Joseph Friedman invented the bendy straw in 1937. Over the last 50 years, many new designs emerged. Plastic straws became common in the 1960s because they were cheap and easy to make. Although plastic straws can be reused, most people don’t. Today, this creates huge amounts of non-biodegradable waste that harms our environment. Because of this, many companies now make biodegradable straws to help reduce waste.
No doubt you’ve seen paper straws popping up in many bars already. But next time you order a fancy cocktail, try refusing the plastic straw. Instead, sip straight from the glass. Here’s why that small change can make a big difference…
Straw Wars: The Fight to Rid the Oceans of Discarded Plastic
Of the eight million tons of plastic waste that flow every year into the world’s oceans, the plastic drinking straw is surely not a top contributor to all that tonnage.
Yet this small, slender tube, utterly unnecessary for most beverage consumption, is at the center of a growing environmental campaign aimed at convincing people to stop using straws to help save the oceans. Read on…
If the above doesn’t hit home then watch this video and tell me, you would not feel affected by it.
Councils threaten families with £2,500 fines and criminal records if they put too much rubbish in bins.
Businesses, including local shops, could also face penalties of up to £20,000
A local council has warned families they could face fines of up to £2,500 for overflowing bins. Even worse, breaking the rules could lead to a criminal record. In addition, households that leave rubbish out too early or too late could also face penalties. Businesses, including local shops, risk fines of up to £20,000 if they don’t follow new waste rules. Meanwhile, many residents say the warning feels unfair. In some areas, the council only collects rubbish once every two weeks—or even once a month. As a result, overflowing bins have become a real health concern for homeowners. People are worried about smells, pests, and rubbish piling up outside their homes.
Residents Outraged as Councils Send Threatening Letters Over Bin Rules
Some households have received letters accusing them of “unreasonable conduct” that affects their neighbourhood’s quality of life. Stoke-on-Trent Council sent these warning notices, sparking anger among residents. Meanwhile, other councils across the UK are reportedly planning similar tough strategies, including threats of criminal charges. Critics say this approach goes too far. James Price from the TaxPayers’ Alliance told the Daily Mail, “It’s unbelievable that councils treat taxpayers like this.” He added that people expect reliable bin collections, not threats from their local authorities. Andrew Allison from the Freedom Association agreed and urged the government to step in. He said the government must stop councils from using such heavy-handed tactics against residents.
CCTV, Green Bins, and Fines – The New Reality of Waste Collection in the UK
Some councils have already fitted CCTV cameras to bin lorries to watch how people dispose of their rubbish. In some areas, workers must check green bins to make sure they only contain recyclable materials. Over the summer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council sent warning letters to residents on at least two streets. The council said it wanted to stop the “severe inconvenience” caused when people dumped rubbish outside the rules. A council spokesperson admitted the letters might seem harsh but insisted they were meant as legal warnings. He explained the aim was to make residents aware their actions were creating problems for their neighbours.
Lilian Dodd, the city’s Deputy Lord Mayor, also defended the letters. She said: “If people are continuously flouting the law with bins then they should receive a warning letter and hopefully they will respond appropriately. The level of fines being threatened does seem slightly extreme but this has to be done because of the mess in the streets.”
Tameside council in Greater Manchester also has a “waste policy and enforcement strategy” allowing it to issue prosecution threats to householders who do not meet “expectations”.
If you have missed a bin collection or accidentally put the wrong rubbish in the wrong bin, then contact us and we can sort it out for you before it gets out of hand.
We recently wrote about how dumped plastic waste and rubbish are harming the environment, especially our oceans.
Today, a major cleanup is underway in Lebanon after a storm dumped massive piles of rubbish along Beirut’s northern coast.
Sadly, these awful scenes still happen in Lebanon. Back in 2015, rubbish piled up for weeks with no collection. As a result, frustrated residents filled the streets and protested. They launched a movement called “You Stink!” to demand real change and push the government to act on the rubbish crisis.
People were fed up with the government’s silence and lack of responsibility.
Samy Gemayel, leader of the Phalangist Party, said the storm pushed coastal landfill waste straight into the sea. He visited the site and spoke with visible frustration during a news conference. “I’m speechless at the amount of garbage the storm forced onto this beach,” he said. Therefore he demanded that senior officials take responsibility for allowing landfills along the coastline. “Those who approved these landfill sites caused this disaster. “Indeed they must be held accountable,” he added.
Furthermore, environmentalists agree that action is long overdue and say the current system clearly fails. Joslin Kehdy, founder of Recycle Lebanon, urged officials to stop expanding landfills. “We’re always cleaning this beach,” he told The Daily Star. “Every storm brings more garbage back.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri urged authorities to act quickly and tackle the crisis.
How can we help?
At The Rubbish Removers, we take recycling and proper rubbish disposal seriously because it affects everyone. Every day, we see waste dumped in lay-bys or washed up on our shores. This problem impacts all of us, not just someone else. Therefore, we all must play our part by recycling and disposing of rubbish the right way.
At The Rubbish Removers, we work closely with our customers to make this happen. In the end, we’re proud to help people make better environmental choices, one job and one clean-up at a time.
Finally please don’t hesitate to contact us today and be rest assured your waste will be disposed of in a lawful and ethical manner, avoiding a rubbish crisis here.
We are fully licensed with the Environment Agency, Registration number CBDU179358
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