The fight against fly-tippers is going high-tech.
Kent County Council is set to become the first county council in the UK to use SmartWater in a bid to stop tradesmen dumping rubbish.
BBC Breakfast Presenter for Radio 5 Nicky Campbell was at the launch at Maidstone Studios to demonstrate how SmartWater works.
The solution, which is very hard to remove, is invisible to the human eye but glows under a UV light. Research by Kent Fire and Rescue Service has proved that SmartWater can withstand extensive periods of burning, ensuring that fly-tippers will be unable to cover their tracks through setting fire to waste.
The Clean Kent Campaign, co-ordinated by Kent County Council, is introducing SmartWater to householders in trial locations across the county from this week .
If looking to dispose of waste, householders should follow the Duty of Care legislation using Clean Kent’s simple steps to check that the trades people they employ are licensed waste carriers.
However, if they still have concerns that the waste may be fly-tipped, they can contact KCC who will send out a warden to spray SmartWater on their rubbish.
If the rubbish is then dumped, the carrier can be traced back through the SmartWater and possibly prosecuted.
David Brazier, lead member for environment, highways and waste said: “Clean Kent has already achieved a reduction of fly tipping by over 61 per cent and is proud to be the first to offer this service to our residents. We hope that these additional tools will reassure householders and further add strength to the campaign to fight fly tipping and to keep our county clean and beautiful.”
SmartWater Chief Executive Phil Cleary, said: “SmartWater maintains a 100 per cent conviction rate when used as evidence in court, which will send a very strong message to anyone considering flytipping.”
Clean Kent has achieved notable convictions against rogue traders, with the number of fly tipping incidents dropping by 61.5 per cent across Kent in the last five years.