After a very wet and unsettled winter, it is time to celebrate the arrival of spring.

However, with February ranking as the warmest on record for England and Wales, you could be forgiven for welcoming spring earlier than ever.

As well as planting bulbs and dusting off the lawnmower, it is the time of year when people undertake a spring clean, whether that be updating their wardrobe or revamping their house.

Our officers are raising awareness of the fight against fly-tipping and encouraging residents to be considerate when disposing of waste.

The most common fly-tipped items include household waste, garden waste, mattresses and white goods.

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In 2022/23, there were 3,054 incidents of fly-tipping across North Yorkshire, and the cost of removal was more than £203,000.

We provide 20 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) for residents to deposit their household waste free of charge, and for commercial waste, non-household waste and waste from non-residents to be deposited for a charge.

Many people employ an individual or business to remove waste from their property. However, it is your responsibility to ensure they dispose of it legitimately. You must use a licensed waste carrier or take your waste to a registered site.

Check if your waste carrier is licensed and check their licence number on the Environment Agency’s register.

It is also worth asking what will happen to your waste, and getting a receipt documenting the waste that was taken, by who and at what cost.

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Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipped waste. We investigates every case and if evidence is recovered, may prosecute those responsible.

Report fly-tipping.

From March, we offer a garden waste collection service, which has been standardised to ensure everyone receives the same service regardless of where they live in the county. Make a payment and see more information about the garden waste service, including collection dates.

North Yorkshire is popular with holidaymakers both at home and abroad, and the better weather marks the start of the thriving tourist season.

However, the influx in numbers brings challenges around littering, particularly in holiday hotspots such as the coast.

Roadside litter also poses a blight to the landscape as well as a threat to wildlife, with around three million animals killed each year across the UK.

In North Yorkshire, a section of the A66 from Scotch Corner to the Lakes, and the A64 from York to Scarborough, is prone to littering offences.