Enforcement of Fly Tipping

We provide ample facilities for you to dispose of your waste, unwanted goods and materials. If you choose not to use them by dumping your waste somewhere else – such as on grass verges, housing estates, private land, woodland, garage areas, public open spaces and cemeteries – you are fly tipping and committing an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We take a firm approach to this. When we are told about any incidents of fly tipping – by the police or local people – we will remove it within five working days. For more information please contact the Customer Service Centre on 01329 236100 or email our Enforcement Team.

How does it affect you?

As Council Tax payers, cleaning up fly tipping costs us all money.
It can be dangerous and potentially harmful to you and your family's health.
It spoils our enjoyment of the environment.
It can cause serious pollution to the environment.
It attracts arson and more fly tipping.
It can be dangerous for wildlife.

If you use but don't check the legitimacy of operators posing as waste carriers, you could face a fine of up to £5,000. You can find registered waste carriers online on a 'waste carrier register' set up by the Environment Agency External Hyperlink (opens in new window) .

Preventing fly tipping

If you are considering paying someone to dispose of waste on your behalf, please check:

That you are using a genuine/reputable company/individual
Where they are proposing to take your waste
That they can give you a receipt for this service
That they have a waste carrier licence.

By following these simple guidelines you reduce the likelihood of your waste being found among a fly tip and of us having to investigate the possibility of enforcement action against you.

Fly tipping on private land

If we cannot identify the person responsible for the fly tipping or the owner of the rubbish, it becomes the responsibility of the owner(s) of the land
Private land includes unadopted alleyways which are the joint responsibility of the owners of all the properties with direct access to the alleyway
If there is an environmental health nuisance, our Environmental Health service may serve statutory notices on the owner(s) of the land or the rubbish.

Reporting fly tipping

Fly tipping is illegal, dangerous and can ruin the appearance of an area. You should report it to us, with as much information as possible, including what the waste looks like, how much there is and a description and registration number of any vehicle involved. Our Enforcement team will arrange for any waste on Council land to be removed. If the fly tipping is on private land, we will try to contact the owner. We may wish to prosecute the person fly tipping and will be keen to use your evidence in court. Even if you do not wish to be a witness, it is still important to report it to us. Fly tippers are doing something illegal so do not want to be caught. You should not approach them. Only approach the site when you are sure it is safe. Some waste is hazardous. Do not approach the waste, touch it or open any bags or containers. You can report fly tipping.

What are the penalties?

Offenders can be fined up to £50,000 and/or imprisoned for five years. Fines are unlimited if the case goes to the county court.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss or have further information on the above please phone us on 01329 236100 or email the Enforcement Team.