Fly-tipping, often called fly dumping and tipping, is the illegal dumping of waste on land which has no licence to accept waste. Household waste should be disposed of legally at an authorised tip (Household Waste Recycling Site).
Top of page
On public land
You can report fly-tipping on public land online (opens in new window) if the waste is on the public highway or other land owned by the Council. We will usually arrange for this waste to be removed within 48 working hours although it may take longer should the waste consist of asbestos, clinical or other hazardous wastes as special arrangements need to be made for such waste. Where waste contains evidence which helps identify the offender and/or where there are witness statements we will seek to prosecute the offender. The maximum penalty for the offence of illegally tipping waste is currently £50,000 and/or a term of imprisonment.
On private land
If the waste has been flytipped on private land, or is an accumulation of rubbish on someone's property, you can report this online (opens in new window), or by calling us on (01482) 396301. An officer will contact you as soon as possible and usually within 5 working days. It is usually the landowner's responsibility to remove the waste, however, we will investigate where it has come from and wherever possible will take enforcement action against those responsible for dumping it. In these situations the cost of removal may be recovered through the courts. If waste is deemed to be causing or likely to cause a statutory nuisance we can also serve a notice on the occupier of the land to remove it within a given time.
Cases of large scale illegal tipping (a lorry load or more) are dealt with by the Environment Agency and we will refer any such cases to them.
Top of page
Disposing of it yourself
We can collect and dispose of certain bulky household items you no longer want by booking a bulky collection service (opens in new window).
You can also dispose of extra household waste at our tips. Read more about where tips are and what you can take there.
Asking somebody else to do it
Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act you have a duty of care to ensure that if you give waste from your property to someone to dispose of for you, you need to ensure that they are licensed by the Environment Agency to carry waste.
Environmental Protection Act - Section 34 (external website)
For example, if you get a man with a van to get rid of some unwanted household items, rubble or bags of rubbish you should check they are licensed. You can check if someone is licensed by viewing waste carriers on the online public registers section of the Environment Agency Website or by ringing the Environment Agency on (08708) 506506.
Environment Agency - Public Registers (external website)
Top of page
