Swansea's big fly-tipping problem that's getting worse

  • ITV Cymru Wales' Swansea reporter, Dean Thomas-Welch, reports.

Fly-tipping in Swansea has risen by 22 per cent in just 12 months, according to new figures.

Swansea Council says it received 2,316 reports of fly-tipping in 2023/24 - up from the previous year's number of 1,898.

Swansea Council says the figures are disappointing and it is doing all it can to tackle the problem.

Councillor Peter Black says he requested the data after noticing an increase in rubbish and waste dumped on roadsides and on private land in his ward of Cwmbrwla.

Swansea Council says the figures are disappointing and it is doing all it can to tackle the problem. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Mr Black is concerned with the impact fly-tipping is having on local residents and businesses.

"It’s quite disturbing," Cllr Black told ITV Cymru Wales.

"Since I started getting these figures, it’s shown quite a big jump in the number of incidents (of fly-tipping) in the city.

"This is a very anti-social activity, it has an impact on the community and their perception of their environment and we do need to start clamping down on this."

Swansea resident Helen Thomas says the sight of dumped rubbish on the streets "is not a good look".

She said: "You live in a community which you have respect for, it’s where we grew up and bring up our children and you just want to be in a nice environment.

"Seeing mess that’s been dumped just doesn't give the right impression. We all want to live in a nice place without rubbish."

Fly-tipping in Swansea has risen by almost a quarter in just 12 months. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Swansea Council's cabinet member for community, said: "It’s disappointing to see that a minority of residents are continuing to fly-tip household waste rather than dispose of it correctly.

"We are doing everything we can to deal with incidents of fly-tipping that are reported to us. This includes efforts to identify those responsible and take appropriate action.

"Fly-tipping comes at a cost to the council and it is money we would prefer to invest elsewhere."

Swansea Council has now created a "cleansing ward operative team" to improve waste disposal and environments within the city.

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