RECYCLING experts Scott Bros are urging householders to consider hiring a skip rather than using a ‘man with a van’ in a bid to reduce illegal fly tipping across the region.

While councils across the region have now reopened most tips to the public, there have been reports of long queues due to social distancing measures.

And fly tipping has rocketed during lockdown - with the added complexity that dumped waste must be left at least 72 hours before being cleared to minimise any risk of Covid-19 contamination.

Peter Scott, a director of Stockton-based Scott Bros said: “Just dumping rubbish illegally is not an option as it’s not only damaging our communities but it’s a health hazard – putting residents, council workers and farmers at risk.

“Some people may unwittingly contribute to the problem by using a man with a van who will do the job at a cheap rate.

“They are often unlicensed and as such cannot use legitimate civic amenity sites, which means they dump the rubbish it in the nearest back alley, green space or area of farmland."