Campaigners calling for a new tip in Congleton say they’ve seen a four-fold rise in fly tipping in the town in recent months.
It comes after the council closed their local tip in 2021, without providing an alternative.
Now, campaigners have handed in three petitions which total over 6,000 signatures in a bid to persuade Cheshire East Council to find a new site for the town’s recycling facility.
The organisers of the petitions say illegal fly tipping in Congleton and its five surrounding parishes has cost taxpayers £12,000 since the old recycling centre on Barn Road closed.
They say around half of this figure has been spent on dealing with asbestos.
Congleton town councillor Robert Douglas said: “It is ridiculous for an area with a population of 35,000 and growing not to be provided with such a facility.
“Over the last four months, fly tipping in the area has quadrupled compared to the same period when there was a recycling site in Congleton.”
Cllr Douglas and others are spearheading a campaign to persuade the borough council to replace the recycling centre.
The site was closed in September 2021 after its lease expired and Cheshire East Council decided not to look for an alternative facility in the town.
Residents now have to go to Alsager or Macclesfield to get rid of household waste that isn’t eligible for kerbside collections.
Cllr Douglas added: “The town councillors of Congleton representing the whole political spectrum – and all our residents – are united in the belief Congleton must have its own recycling site.
“Even before handing in the petitions, our campaign had already persuaded Cheshire East Council to reconsider their decision not to replace it.
“Their Environment and Communities Committee has formed a sub-committee to investigate future household waste and recycling site provision, with particular reference to Congleton and surrounding areas.”
