Fly Tipping

Report Fly Tipping

What to do when reporting fly tipping

When reporting fly-tipping please ensure you do the following:

  • Do not touch/remove any evidence found from the fly-tipping location e.g. addressed letters.

  • Please be as specific as you can when describing the location of the fly-tipping.

  • For your own safety, if you see the incident occurring do not approach the people involved.

  • If you see a person/vehicle involved in fly-tipping take as many details as you can e.g. description of the person/vehicle or the registration number of the vehicle.

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of household and trade waste in lay-bys, country lanes, car parks etc. It is more hazardous than littering and is therefore a criminal offence under waste legislation. On conviction, the fine can be up to £50,000, six month's imprisonment or both.

As a householder, if you do not take reasonable steps to check that your chosen waste carrier is authorised you may be liable to a fine or even prosecution. Reasonable steps to take include:

  • Ask the waste carrier to provide you with their full address and telephone number.
  • Ask to see their waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency.

You can also contact the Environment Agency directly on 08708 506506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check or a Scrap Metal License Check, alternatively you can check online on the Environment Agency website.