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Fly-tipping - what you can do
If you dump waste where it is not permitted you can face very large fines and even be sent to prison. If you see fly-tipping, you can report it to your council.
What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish or bulky items on land not licensed to receive it. Fly-tipping can be dangerous, pollutes land and waterways and costs the council tax payer significant amounts of money to clear away.
Dumping household, industrial and commercial waste illegally is a serious criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £20,000 (unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court) or an offender can even be sent to prison. It is also an offence to permit fly-tipping. Local councils treat this problem very seriously and will usually prosecute anyone caught fly-tipping waste.
Fly-tipping is often associated with dumping waste from vehicles; in this case the person who owns the vehicle can also be prosecuted, which means that it is possible for a prosecution to occur when only the vehicle, not the driver, is identifiable. The police also have the powers to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping.
Your local council provides waste disposal sites and recycling centres where you can safely and legally dispose of unwanted items.
What to do about fly-tipped waste
If you discover fly-tipped waste do not:
- touch the waste - it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances
- disturb the site; there may be evidence that could help identify the fly-tippers and lead to their prosecution
Do:
- visually try to work out what the waste consists of and how much there is
- make a note of the day, date and time you saw the tipping, its exact location and whether it is in or near water
If you see someone fly-tipping make a note of:
- how many people are involved and what they look like
- what has been tipped - how much and what it looks like
- details of any vehicles involved including make, colour and registration number if possible
Report fly-tipping to your council
You should contact your local council if you see someone fly-tipping or to report fly-tipped waste; in both cases, provide as much detail as possible. The following link will allow you to enter your details and take you to your local council website where you can find out more.
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