Appeal to halt fly-tipping after more fridges abandoned in Shropshire

It has also emerged that some householders are paying van drivers to dispose of goods that are later being dumped on grass verges.

In Telford and Wrekin, the latest figures show a fall in reports of fly-tipping with 335 appliances including fridges and washing machines being dumped in the streets in 2015-16, compared to 496 in 2014-15.

Shropshire Council saw a rise in reports from 139 in 2014/15 compared to 109 in 2015/16 across the county.

Fridges were removed from Marshalls Court, in Shrewsbury, and from a highway verge, in Ensdon Lane, Shrawardine. While Powys County Council had 36 reports of fly-tipped white goods in 2015 and 21 reports so far this year.

In February a dumped fridge-freezer containing human urine was discovered on a main street in Welshpool.

New rules were introduced in 2013 banning scrap yards from disposing of the white goods unless the insulation foam, which contains the chemical pentane, has been removed – a move which saw them re-classified as hazardous waste.

As a result some have been dumped on land across the Midlands region and councils, which have to pay to clear them up, are trying to crack down on the problem.

Residents are advised to only use reputable businesses or the council's own waste collection services warning that door-to-door collectors often don't have the facilities for disposal.

Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for transport, customer and neighbourhood services Councillor Angela McClements said: "While we do not have particular hotspots, our local housing estates do have more incidences than elsewhere. We remove reported illegal fly-tips and always attempt to find out who was responsible in order to follow up the matter by way of a fine or prosecution.

"We have a service for the removal of bulky items from households, which costs just £18 for up to six items, with discounts available for many. We also have our large community recycling centre to dispose of unwanted items.

"We've recently become aware of people with vans taking money from householders promising to properly dispose of items, which have later been fly-tipped.

"Please be wary of such services, often advertised or requested on Facebook sales sites. For more information on the proper disposal of bulky items please check out the advice on our website under 'bulky item collections' at www.telford.gov.uk/recycling"

Powys County Council said the majority of the items were found on verges and laybys. It said there was a slight increase in reports in the first five months of this financial year, but that this trend could fall before March 2017 to the same level as 2015 or even less.

Unwanted goods can be taken to Shropshire's household recycling centres in Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Craven Arms. Fly-tipping can be reported on the council website or by calling 0345 678 9006.