Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is the dumping of waste illegally. It's dangerous, unsightly and attracts vermin. It also costs the council thousands of pounds each year to clear away. Fly-tipping:
- can seriously pollute watercourses and contaminate land
- can endanger human health, wildlife and livestock
- is unsightly, spoiling our communities and the quality of life for local residents
- undermines legitimate businesses who are undercut by illegal operators
- encourages others to dump more waste
Report fly-tipping
When reporting a fly-tip the following information will help:
- the exact location. Drop a pin in our map and if you use the What3words app/website then tell us the precise 3 word location in the additional information section
- the type of waste and approximately how much there is
- if you have any information about who has dumped the rubbish, such as name of person, address or vehicle involved
- photographs of the fly-tip are very useful, but don’t take risks or trespass in order to get these
- your details in case we need further information
If you find illegally dumped waste:
- do not disturb the site in case there is evidence that could lead to catching and prosecuting those responsible
- do not touch the waste because it may include toxic chemicals, asbestos or broken glass
- do not do anything that could put yourself in danger
After you report fly-tipping
If the rubbish is on land under our control, it will be cleared and may be investigated if evidence is found. Priority will be given to hazardous waste. Other reports of fly-tipping will be cleared as soon as possible.
If the report is on un-adopted or private land it is the landowner's responsibility to clear it. We may investigate if evidence is found.
Fly-tipping and the law
The act of fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence and if you are caught fly-tipping you will receive a fixed penalty notice of £1000.
Fines for fly-tipping can increase up to £50,000 (or unlimited if indicted to the Crown Court) and an offender can even be sent to prison.
Let’s S.C.R.A.P fly-tipping
If your waste is fly-tipped, by you or by someone else on your behalf, you could face a £600 fixed penalty notice. This can be increased to an unlimited fine if convicted in Crown Court.
The following all counts as fly-tipping, leaving items:
- beside street bins and recycling banks
- on the floor of communal bin areas
- outside closed recycling centres and charity shops
We all have a duty of care to ensure our household or business waste is disposed of legally and not fly-tipped.
Always follow the S.C.R.A.P code:
- Suspect ALL waste carriers
- Check with the Environment Agency that the provider taking your waste away is licensed
- Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away
- Ask what will happen to your waste
- Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt
Your waste is your responsibility.
Find out more about your duty of care:
Let's SCRAP Fly-Tipping Poster - pdf - 1.51 Mb
Always use a registered waste carrier to collect your rubbish. You can find a registered waste carrier in your area on the Environment Agency's website.
What else you can do with your household waste
Use our bulky waste collection service
If you need to get rid of large items directly from your house use our bulky waste collection service
Use your kerbside bin collection
Visit our Bins and recycling section to find out about your bin collections and what you can put in your bins.
Use neighbourhood recycling banks or household waste recycling centres
Find out when your nearest recycling centre is open, what you can take there and how to get a permit to bring a van or trailer.
Items must be placed inside the banks. Recycling, bulky items or general rubbish left around the banks or on the floor will be considered as fly-tipping and investigated by council officers.