Society's Child

UK: Fly-tippers dump river of waste in 'environmental catastrophe'

TheTelegraph
Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:27 UTC

garbage river cherwell fly tippers britain pollution

Illegal rubbish heap, located beside the A34 and the River Cherwell, stretches 500ft and contains plastic, foam and wood

Fly-tippers have dumped a river of waste in rural Oxfordshire.

The illegal rubbish heap - described as "an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight" - is around 20ft high, stretches 500ft long, and contains plastic, foam and wood.

It is believed to have been dumped in one go next to the A34 and River Cherwell, near the village of Kidlington, and was discovered last month by anglers. Some of the rubbish is said to be just five metres away from the river.

Friends of the Thames, an environmental charity, said the dump was created by an organised crime group. Laura Reineke, the charity's chief executive, told the BBC: "This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight.

"Every day that passes increases the risk of toxic run-off entering the river system, poisoning wildlife and threatening the health of the entire catchment. The Environment Agency must act now, not in months or years, which is their usual reaction time."

The Environment Agency has confirmed an investigation has been launched and has encouraged anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible. A spokesman said: "The Environment Agency is aware and investigating. If anyone has any information then please call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, raised the issue in Parliament. Addressing MPs on Thursday, he said: "Criminals have dumped a mountain of illegal plastic waste... weighing hundreds of tonnes, in my constituency on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell.

"River levels are rising and heatmaps show that the waste is also heating up, raising the risk of fire. The Environment Agency said it has limited resources for enforcement, that the estimated cost of removal is greater than the entire annual budget of the local district council."

Comment: Notice the careful lack of potential attribution. Yet there are demographic groups in the UK prone to this behavior. Someone simply commercialized it.

Creative solutions:

Reader Comments

Jason · 2025-11-23T22:10:41Z

Yes the clowns that manage this shit show encourage mass immigration, promote consumerism and raise dumping fees. What a great combo that is. Idiocracy.

If that was dumped in one go it's a commercial rubbish collection agency surely. A firm that provides bins for the building industry I'd say.

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-23T22:35:27Z

This somehow reminds me of the movie Snatch and this:

[Link]
~

but tis known the trash in the UK is now only picked up like once every three weeks - so this seems to be something that could have been predicted no doubt.

Seems emblematic of the UK, the EU, NATO, and all them old-fart institutions full of trash no doubt - a heap of it.

~

But step aside from the book of that English author about kids living in rubbish and realize if trash is only picked up once every three weeks - somebody else will come by and pick up the trash and then dump it upon the rivers....DUH. They will "say" - I'll take your trash - only to dump it elsewhere!

You reap what you sow - and the UK is toast - as is the EU - and NATO as well.

duh.

[Link]

djsedaw · 2025-11-24T18:49:37Z

This somehow reminds me of the movie Snatch and this:

[Link]
~

but tis known the trash in the UK is now only picked up like once every three weeks - so this seems to be something that could have been predicted no doubt.

Seems emblematic of the UK, the EU, NATO, and all them old-fart institutions full of trash no doubt - a heap of it.

~

But step aside from the book of that English author about kids living in rubbish and realize if trash is only picked up once every three weeks - somebody else will come by and pick up the trash and then dump it upon the rivers....DUH. They will "say" - I'll take your trash - only to dump it elsewhere!

You reap what you sow - and the UK is toast - as is the EU - and NATO as well.

duh.

[Link]

The recycled bins are collected every other week, normal bins the following week

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-24T23:49:21Z

djsedaw - ha, ha.....

The recycled bins are collected every other week, normal bins the following week

So - recycled "trash" is picked up every two weeks and "regular trash" every three weeks might be one reading of this....but I think you are saying both are picked up every two weeks - at least where you reside. Is that correct?

Now I watched a video months ago from a fella just got completely frustrated with the UK and he said where he resides the regular trash is picked up every three weeks if memory serves - but let me ask the brave ai bout this:

Here was the response to a the simple question - "how often is trash picked up in England":

In England, household waste collection frequency varies significantly by local authority, with no nationwide standard. Most councils collect general waste (residual waste) once every two weeks, a practice adopted to reduce costs and increase recycling rates. As of recent data, 76% of English councils collect general waste fortnightly for some or all households. Some councils have even moved to three-weekly collections for non-recyclable waste to further reduce expenses and meet recycling targets . However, recycling and food waste collections are typically more frequent, with many councils offering weekly collection for recyclables and food waste. The UK government has proposed requiring councils to collect residual waste at least every two weeks, and plans to mandate weekly food waste collection by 31 March 2026. Collection days are often adjusted around statutory holidays, with schedules shifting forward one day to accommodate them. Residents are advised to check their local council’s website for specific collection schedules, as they can vary widely across regions.

In the video the fella also stated if the bins ain't placed "just proper" then they get skipped - and where he resided it was once every three weeks I'm more confident in memory to state based on the response from the ai above. He also stated that it has become damn near impossible to have a place for "tenants" cause once they move in - the landlord is at disadvantage. Needless to say - said fella departed England and I don't think his sentiment is unusual. The place has become quite pathetic seems to me - but same is true many places these days I reckon.

Regards,

BK

djsedaw · 2025-11-26T19:28:19Z

Buffalo_Ken No each are collected on alternative weeks, simples!

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-26T19:30:03Z

djsedaw - that is what I figured was "most likely"!

~~~

But I'm glad where I reside "regular trash" is picked up weekly - and frankly we got more in the recycle bin most of the time even though it is picked up bi-weekly - maybe that ought be reversed?

Cheers!

(ps - just happened to be "online" when you posted above - can I offer you a drink? What is your pleasure?)

Peter Jennings · 2025-11-24T00:17:43Z

There are a number of reasons why this fly-tipping happens in Blighty. The main reason is because councils, in their wisdom, have made it very hard to use the local dump. Appointments now have to made and households can only use the local dump/s in their area. Certain materials cannot be left at these dumps and charges are extracted from local builders who have rubbish to tip. Then there are the arseholes who just cannot be bothered. It's a no brainer why this rubbish is turning up in the countryside.

Our local councils just love to squawk on about their green credentials yet none of their 'recycling' centres are convenient to use or fit for purpose.

Bsotted · 2025-11-24T01:35:31Z

Where I live, not the most privileged part of Sydney.

All our bins are 240 litre except for the household one which is 120 litres but that attract a lesser price.

Average council rate is about $ 1,100 per annum

Pensioners (me) about $ 700 per annum

For that we get…

Weekly

1 normal household bin (used for everything that can’t be put in the other bins.

1 Green bin leaves and all food stuffs.

Fortnightly

1 Recycle bin.

Plus for any big stuff (not building waste) 12 collection a year, give council a call they’ll pick it within a day or so.

Bed Mattresses give council a call for a pick up, also usually within a day or so.

BTW for any iffy stuff (dangerous) or paints etc, homeowners can bring those to a central collection depot for free.

But for some reason you still have moron’s dumping illegally.

ReRan · 2025-11-24T02:50:36Z

Bsotted That actual arrangement doesn't sound too bad. So, no need for illegal dumping.

Bsotted · 2025-11-24T03:07:31Z

ReRan You're right, I don't know why they dump illegally, brain dead!

The council is really accomodating, have an old fridge, no problem they'll pick it up if one of the scrap metal collectors don't beat them to it.

Bsotted · 2025-11-24T03:18:10Z

ReRan We also have this scheme called return and earn, you deposit all your eligible (most are) bottles & cans and get 10 cents back by voucher or you can donate it, doesn't sound much but it adds up, also you don't find the roadside littered with bottles etc, works well.

Stat's here...

As of early 2025, the NSW Return and Earn scheme has resulted in over $1.3 billion in refunds paid out to participants for more than 13 billion recycled drink containers.

The scheme has also generated over $72 million for charities and community groups through donations and hosting fees.

Refunds: Over $1.3 billion in container refunds has been returned to people in NSW.Containers: More than 13 billion eligible drink containers have been returned through the network.

Charitable donations: Over $72 million has been raised for charities and community groups.

Litter reduction: The scheme has contributed to a 54-73% reduction in drink container litter since its inception

ReRan · 2025-11-24T14:31:46Z

Bsotted We have regular re-cycling programs here in Ontario, but from what I have heard, only about 7% of stuff put into the bins actually gets re-cycled. If there was a payback system like you have, it might be better.

Bsotted · 2025-11-24T16:43:52Z

ReRan However the NSW Gov can’t beat they’re collective chests as the South Australian system has been operating for 40 years, the only state to do so, it was introduced in SA by the Labor Gov led by Don Dustan a very progressive no BS Premier.

NSW did have a scheme in the 60’s and 70’s that attracted a sixpence deposit on glass bottles, I amongst others used to go to the local stock races on Sundays were a days collection could add up to 1 pound, that was a serious amount of money for a kid.

It was also not unheard of were kids would steal the bottles from the back of shops to come back in the front to collect the deposit back, used to happen at the delicatessen were my then, now wife used to work.

ReRan · 2025-11-24T21:09:40Z

Bsotted Lots of people here collect booze bottles, those can be turned in for change.

Bsotted · 2025-11-24T22:04:58Z

ReRan Hopefully in time they might expand the scheme, seems to work reasonably well here.

ReRan ·

Bsotted

· 2025-11-25T02:03:33Z

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-25T03:01:10Z

Bsotted - I'm pretty sure this "illegal" dumping assuming it happened was to send a message of frustration - and if so, I can't help but have sympathy with the one(s) dumped all this damn refuse - cause really there is so much trash nowadays - I don't know why but I continue to save cardboard and metals of course - especially aluminum which is so easily recycled being all the energy goes into making it in the first place - so really if you put aluminum in the trash bin I think less of you - cause you must be clueless.

But when it comes to glass - the energy to separate it and transfer it to a place it can be recycled might offset the value in trying to "save" it - and when it comes to plastic the key thing to understand is most of it has a lot of energy and better to "burn" it and recover said energy than to let it slowly release its other ingredients in the landfill leachate.

You know - well if you don't lets discuss this further and on that topic - cellulose acetate is a polymer most natural being it forms from cellulose and acetic acid / acetic anhydride - and you might think I'm pulling your chain, but I already know and have an idea how this plastic could be recycled so easily - I mean I walked the plant it was made in upside down and inside out - I know that plant and the process. I know a way to recycle it from the get-go - but guess what - I'll never tell the son's of bitches - eff em if they don't want to know better ideas.....

Better ideas beckon - and in good time they will materialize.

Odessa beckons as well Bsotted - you know now don't ya?

I guess I'm just a good citizen who knows both cardboard and metals recycled make good sense - and really save the plastic these days - especially the "PET" for future burning - that is the best use of it versus dropping in it some dump or landfill or taking all of it and dumping it upon others -

d

u

h

!

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-25T03:07:14Z

Buffalo_Ken - oh timed out - so let me add this:

But when it comes to glass - the energy to separate it and transfer it to a place it can be recycled might offset the value in trying to "save" it - BUT when it comes to plastic the key thing to understand is most of it has a lot of energy and better to "burn" it and recover said energy than to let it slowly release its other ingredients in the landfill leachate. Particularly being all the "additives" in plastic make it damn near impossible to truly recycle it - it basically cannot be "reused" - tis a sunk cost for all purposes besides the energy it contains - which ought be used for benefit in a properly operated plastic burning place - and this is proven.

A properly operated and run incinerator can take the plastic in and easily turn it into electrical energy - and that just makes good sense for all the bullshit plastic still around - but a better idea is to make plastic designed to be recycled from the "get-go" and what better candidate for this is there than cellulose acetate?

So consider that you fools!

~

ps - dirigibles are the best way to travel!

Bsotted · 2025-11-25T03:56:51Z

Buffalo_Ken Look at this young girl, not a new idea or one that gets rid of all plastic, but at least it’s not going into landfillI

Can’t remember if someone on Sott send me this link, sorry to steal it if so.

[Link]

Bsotted · 2025-11-25T05:13:48Z

Buffalo_Ken Yes you’re a mug if you don’t recycle Copper, Brass and Aluminium, they all bring really good prices at the scrap yard, (my bloke sends me a Christmas Card).

The glass recycling in NSW seems to be commercial success, there are over 600 sites where you can drop your stuff off

Here’s a performance breakdown [Link]
In the end I’m sure it’s a fine line regarding profitability, but the Government does want to make it work.

Your plastic recycling sounds intriguing!

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-25T17:52:29Z

Bsotted shares:

Buffalo_Ken Look at this young girl, not a new idea or one that gets rid of all plastic, but at least it’s not going into landfillI

Can’t remember if someone on Sott send me this link, sorry to steal it if so.

[Link]

Hell of a good job on her end there. Polyethylene Terephthalate (otherwise known as PET) is the polymer for the plastic bottles she is collecting and all I can say to her - is "way to go"! In the day I walked the innards of so many large plants and knew the details regarding all the steps for making PET - there used to be a bunch of large facilities in NC and SC - but they are a shadow of themselves nowadays. PET can be manufactured using terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate (the latter results in a methanol by-product) along with ethylene glycol and what she is doing is clever because if you ever went to a facility that made PET it often (not always) included extruders that create a fine thread under pressure that then could be used for many purposes depending on the final product.

So - she sort of is doing that but in a mechanical way with much thicker "thread" versus chemical and without the need for high pressure and all I can say is that is SMART.

The challenge with recycling PET chemically mainly is the challenge of dealing with all the additives of which there are so many. Plus it is very energy intensive - it basically ain't worth it chemically - but again - what she is doing is smart. Its just - holy moly - the market for her product is a teeny tiny fraction of all the plastic bottles made these days so in general the value resides in the energy content of the bottles and they could be burned in a properly operated facility to safely generate electricity - and that probably is the best use in general.

The difference between PET versus cellulose acetate is the raw materials for cellulose acetate (cellulose, acetic acid, and acetic anhydride) are actually chemicals that occur naturally - whereas the raw materials for PET production are not really "naturally occurring" and they themselves are manufactured from refined products associated with crude oil (specifically p-xylene) and my hunch is this is why it really is not feasible to recycle PET chemically - at least compared to cellulose acetate!

(ha, ha - I could talk your head off on this topic - but at bottom I think in the future polymers in high use should be literally DESIGNED from the get-go to be recycled - that would make a hell of lot more sense versus what exists today).

Warm Regards,

Ken

Bsotted · 2025-11-25T18:43:20Z

Buffalo_Ken Yes I love what's she's doing.

That’s one hell of an interesting comment Ken, thanks.

I’m thinking there are other mechanical answers to use this product as she has discovered, that inherent feature of discovery for me is the beauty of the internet, although the introduction of Ai (changes everything) which has the power to both clarify and muddy the waters it's going to make things more difficult to filter the answers.

I wanted to get a greater handle on “cellulose”

I asked with this… search term...

"Are objects made from a cellulose base inherently more environmentally friendly”

Amongst a host of other answers this one looked interesting.

[Link]

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-25T18:49:45Z

Bsotted - that is awesome - seriously - and I have bookmarked it for later study - maybe when the internet is down - in fact, I reckon I ought download it to my local hard drive. A moment please - ok I got it.

~

Now - maybe this is discussed in the article, but my idea is simply this - within the cellulose acetate polymer there needs to be a "trigger" that only under special circumstances can be used to recycle the material most easily and efficiently.

~

Sort of like how a "catalyst" is a trigger to foster chemical reactions, but this trigger would enable breaking down the polymer delicately so that new cellulose acetate could be made - basically just as good as the original and if there were any "additives" they would be removed easily in the chemical process! Moreover and critically the energy associated with doing this would be so much less than making the product virgin.

~

Warm Regards,

Ken

Bsotted · 2025-11-25T19:06:40Z

Buffalo_Ken I appreciate where your coming from with this…

Now - maybe this is discussed in the article, but my idea is simply this - within the cellulose acetate polymer there needs to be a "trigger" that only under special circumstances can be used to recycle the material most easily and efficiently.

I’m probably not going to come up with the answer, however I like to sleep on problems, only problem is that method works like counting sheep for me :-) often my dreams provide an answer (I dream a lot and am often able to recall dreams, needs a trigger to work) an other source is my daily shower.

Cheers

One day I'll reveal my real name.

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-25T19:42:48Z

Bsotted - reveal your name at the time of your choosing Bsotted - till then you are Bsotted to me in name!

I've thought about the "trigger" - and I think it might involve silver!

~

You know the two Swiss fellas in their garage there worked so hard on cellulose acetate - and the "dope" of it in liquid polymer form was placed upon the wings of planes in WWI so that the rain did not bring them down - and one good idea leads to another - so by all means please - sleep on it!

Ken

ps - can't resist sharing this - last night I had the first good night's rest in awhile and in the lazy dawn hours fore I woke completely I dreamed about my Mother-in-Law - she was a professor at UNC-Charlotte in the English department and her focus was children's literature and she and I - even though she reminded me of somebody else in he moment - we had a wonderful bit of discourse in this dream - I kid you not. So dreams are important no doubt I reckon.

Bsotted · 2025-11-25T20:52:02Z

Buffalo_Ken I do actually like my bSotted name, probably dumb in some ways but it’s site appropriate.

Yes silver is amazing stuff, might read up on the Swiss guys.

FWIW, I’ve been working the last two days with a great source of cellulose, bamboo, filled another 240 litre bin with off cuts, I hate to waste the stuff it went in the green bin though, I know it’s not the highest in content but given how little input is required to grow it (grows bloody fast) it must rank as one of the most efficient ways to harvest cellulose.

Love your dream BTW

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-26T19:04:20Z

Bsotted - you know there was a time when my wife really desired that we get some of the "bamboo-like" plants that grew all over Charlotte, NC (not sure if they are actually bamboo - but they may be - they grew quickly with a stem solid but basically empty and supposedly could be used for all sorts of things - including piping!). We came close to trying once but it would entail removing something from one place and trying to transplant it to our place and my wife is basically "cautious" about this sort of thing and really - I don't even know how easy it would be to dig the roots (I suspect they are quite connected underground) nor whether successful transplantation was even possible.

Nonetheless, I think bamboo is awesome and I have some bamboo flooring acquired decades ago that I have used slowly but surely for outside repairs on my home because it is fairly weather resistant especially if given a coat of exterior finish.

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-26T19:52:39Z

Bsotted - a couple further comments on the link you presented above - within which it states:

For example, after cross-linking, the presence of sulfonate groups opens the possibility of preparing proton exchange membranes.60–64 Furthermore, the carboxylic acid and alkene moieties provided by the anhydrides offer scope for further reactivity, and studies along this line are in progress.

1. I wonder if the " proton exchange membrane " mentioned is Nafion?

Conclusions We report a two-step modification of cellulose to produce a water-soluble polymer. Cellulose is first reacted with 1,3-propane sultone, and then with either maleic or succinic anhydride, making it water-soluble. Both the degree of substitution (DS) and the nature of the substituent were found to influence the water solubility, with a sulfonate group being essential in our process. The morphology of the final material depended on the treatment, with maleic anhydride producing a more porous structure, and succinic anhydride a plate-like structure. Remarkably, the molecular weight of the cellulose under our standard conditions was greater than 100000 g mol−1 and could be increased or decreased depending on the reaction conditions (Table 1). Unlike current industrial methods to dissolve cellulose, we do not require toxic or unstable solvents. As well as the common uses for water-soluble cellulose, the methodology introduced here could be expanded, offering attractive prospects for different functionalities to be added in order to alter the properties, and the end use, of the cellulose.

2. I suspect this and perhaps a similar idea discussed in the article regarding fluorescence could also be key in regarding to easy recyclability.

~

You know them Swiss fellas in the garages - well - here from brave ai direct:

The term "Swiss fellas" refers to the Dreyfus brothers, Henri and Camille Dreyfus, who were instrumental in the development and commercialization of cellulose acetate. In 1904, they began their research on cellulose acetate in a shed in their father's garden in Basel, Switzerland, where they systematically studied and experimented with the material. Their work led to the invention of soluble forms of cellulose acetate in 1903, which was crucial for industrial applications. During World War I, the British government invited Camille Dreyfus to England to manufacture nonflammable cellulose acetate dope for aircraft, leading to the establishment of the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Co. After the war, the brothers shifted focus to producing cellulose diacetate fibers, founding British Celanese Ltd. in 1921, which began commercial manufacture of the product under the trademark Celanese. Their pioneering efforts laid the foundation for the modern chemical and materials industry, with their company eventually evolving into Celanese Corporation, a multinational technology and specialty materials company headquartered in Irving, Texas.

they did literally 1000's of experiments - maybe some of those original studies might have value in coming up with "better ideas" in the 21st century? I suspect so.

(Plus - you now may know one of the companies I worked for in my career! I got mixed memories about the place, but I sure enjoyed the freedom to walk that plant - most deeply - into all the nooks and crannies I went! - ha, ha)

Peace Bsotted!

Ken

Bsotted · 2025-11-28T20:12:58Z

Buffalo_Ken Bamboo, In real life its a love hate thing, you have to have the non clumping variety to give you modicum of control, if not it can get out of hand quickly, containing it in some physical form is often the way to go but once established even in what seems a sound structure, in my case 3”x10” lumber held in place at the corners with special galvanised 3/16th steel brackets it will still push that out of shape, I could go on but it does what I wants it to do.

Overall I’m a fan of this great natural product.

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-29T01:12:10Z

Bsotted - well good luck Bsotted with your bamboo product.

[Link]

Buffalo_Ken · 2025-11-29T01:13:35Z

Bsotted - and have a hug while we are "at it" - recycling is easy - but it takes a certain mindset I reckon - and that may not be in my time - but I think I have laid the groundwork - and then - let the best ideas prevail.

Have a hug from me!

Ken

Bsotted · 2025-11-29T03:22:44Z

Buffalo_Ken Thank's Ken that's some great music by great muso's, love it.

Check this out, came on after the Bossa Nova

[Link] Kal David one of America's best.

[Link] Kal David "While my guitar gently weeps”

Hope you enjoy it.

Bsotted · 2025-11-29T03:23:49Z

Buffalo_Ken Thx for the hug buddy, and one for you.

Buffalo_Ken ·

Bsotted

· 2025-11-30T20:00:00Z

codis · 2025-11-24T06:05:49Z

The Telegraph, of all shabby British tabloids ...

Inane propaganda to hide this : [Link]
Scroll down and have a look at the video, showing the wonderful city of love, Paris. Similiar ones' exist of London. I wonder why they are on Tiktok, and not Youtube ...

Psstoffgoy · 2025-11-24T09:39:04Z

codis Oh those French politicians sure know how to make an imported sub-human feel right at home, turning their city into a filthy shit hole makes them feel like they still live at their breeding location before an NGO provided an incentive to relocate to a majority white location and provide, diversity and cultural enrichment. The same is true for most white cities lacking cultural enrichment and that much needed diversity as the parasite class constantly reminds us. WTF do they expect, this is normal behaviour and they don't have the thinking capacity to worry about the environment let alone the future.

JP01 · 2025-11-24T18:13:31Z

codis Yea… “City of Love”? Reminds me of the aftermath of another Glastonbury festival. Yet combing and picking through the debris there sometimes was rewarding !

Buffalo_Ken ·

JP01

· 2025-11-25T03:20:54Z

3.1415926535 · 2025-11-24T14:39:57Z

Never heard of a Fly Tipper till now.

In B.C., the Okanagan in particular, its one big trash can. In the forest surrounding the small towns and cities here, the bush is filled with trash heaps.

The lakes, are lined with dog shit, people just open their car windows and out the trash goes. Ive never seen this behaviour before in other provinces.

B.C is beautiful but full of human pigs, the ugly kind.