What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is any rubbish that has been dumped illegally. It spoils the environment and creates health and safety hazards.
We are responsible for removing it from our streets, parks, and open spaces.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. It carries a maximum penalty of £50,000.
Your duty of care
You have a legal duty to check that the person taking your waste is a Registered waste carrier. If you fail to meet your duty of care towards your household waste, you could be prosecuted, or issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.
You need to ask the person or business taking your waste to show you a copy of their waste carriers licence, which is proof that they are registered to carry or accept waste. You should also confirm the details yourself by visiting the Environment agency web page.
It’s important to also make a note of their name (or business name), vehicle type and registration, record the date they took your waste away and ask them where your waste is going. Legitimate and responsible waste operators will be happy to provide you with this information.
We also recommend that you take photos of your waste before it is handed over and keep any messages exchanged with the person taking the waste.
Remember think SCRAP when disposing of your household waste.
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
Report it to us
If you find waste dumped on public property, report it to us and we will arrange for it to be picked up.
If you have witnessed the fly-tipping or you can see evidence we will try to prosecute the offenders.
Select the relevant form below.
If you wish to report it anonymously select the 'Report anonymously' option on the MyAccount log in page
What information do I need to provide?
Give as much information as you can about:
- the location
- the items being fly-tipped
- how large the area that the fly-tipping covers
- date and time of the offence
- a description of the person/people involved
- a description and registration details of any vehicles involved
Serious incidents
If it's a serious incident, for example lorries dumping waste, call:
- The Environment Agency 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060
- Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111