Less than 20 fines have been handed out for fly-tipping in Newport this year despite thousands of reported incidents.
Figures obtained by WalesOnline following a Freedom of Information request show that 3,540 fly-tipping or littering reports were submitted via the Newport City Council website between March 2020 and May 17, 2021.
Despite this, the figures show that only 17 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) - 13 for littering and four for fly-tipping - have been issued by the council so far in 2021. Including 2020's figures - 51 for littering and 33 for fly-tipping - the total number of fines issued was 101.
Last week, people living on an estate plagued by rats in Newport claimed poor waste management and the piling of rubbish near communal bins had made the problem worse.
Read more: People living on Newport estate plagued by rats blame long grass and fly-tipping
The number of reports of fly-tipping or dumping made through the council website can include duplicate reports of the same issue. The number of fines issued for both fly-tipping and dumping in 2019 was also much higher, with a total of 260.
The value of council-issued fines for these offences has also fallen. In 2019, £25,825 worth of fines were issued, while in 2020 it was £18,200. The total so far in 2021 is £2,300.
Six of the 17 fines issued in 2021 have yet to be paid. 18 out of 84 issued in 2020 were not paid, and 73 of 260 fines issued in 2019 have not been paid.
Last year, Newport City Council introduced a booking system for its household recycling centre. Although the service was welcomed by many, some have complained about technical and availability issues.
In April, Cllr Roger Jeavons said the efficiency of the centre had improved since the system was introduced in May and that the recycling rate had increased from 65% to 90% as a result.
He said the system had enabled longer opening hours and more visitors and that controlling visitors via a booking system had resulted in "many positive outcomes."
"Given the success of the system and the very positive response from the public, it is anticipated that it will remain in place for the foreseeable future," he added.
