Town centre recycling centre goes up in flames for second time this year

Selby residents are being asked to report problems at a town centre recycling site – after the recycling bins there were set on fire for the second time this year.

The Back Micklegate Car Park Recycling banks were targeted by arsonists at the weekend and damaged both the paper recycling banks and the adjacent recycling banks. The site is also attracting anti-social behavior in the form of fly tipping.

Where evidence exists enforcement action has taken place to track down the culprits but this has not deterred the continuing fly tipping problems.  The Council has identified both commercial and household waste dumped at the site. 

Selby District Council’s Executive member with responsibility for Housing, Leisure, Health and Culture, Cllr Dave Peart said, “We are regularly responding to fly tipping incidents at this site, week in, week out and when fly tipping occurs it is both unsightly and very costly to clear away.

“Quite frankly, we are fed up of both the fly tipping and the risks from the arson incidents. People are attending the area to deposit their waste. Sometimes it is domestic refuse which is not allowed. Where it is recycled material, despite the bins being full, they dump the waste alongside. This, then, will blow away, attract vermin or is set on fire by criminal elements. We’re continuing to respond to the issues at the site but if it continues to be used incorrectly there is a high probability that offenders will be prosecuted before the court and the site’s future viability will be reviewed.

“We need members of the public to report anything suspicious in the area so we can crack down on those who continue to flout the law.”

To report residents can do so here or by calling the council on 01757 705101.