Fly-tipping
Advice for homeowners
Fly-tipping is illegal
Whether it is just one bin bag, an old item of furniture or a truck load of rubbish, dumping waste on land that is not meant to be used for waste disposal is illegal.
Even if you pay someone else to dispose of your rubbish it is your legal responsibility to make sure they will dispose of it correctly. We can issue a £400 fine to anyone caught, without needing to prosecute them through the courts.
You could also face a prison sentence of up to 5 years, an unlimited fine or both if prosecuted for fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping causes lots of problems including:
- A high cost to taxpayers and private landowners to clear it up
- Threats to humans and wildlife, and damages to our environment
- Spoiling our enjoyment of our towns and countryside
- Illegal waste disposal companies undercut those operating within the law
Advice for homeowners
Householders are legally responsible for any household waste produced on their property.
You could be fined if your waste ends up fly-tipped and you cannot show that you took reasonable steps to prevent it. There are several ways to dispose of the waste that cannot go into your wheeled bins:
- Take large waste items to your local recycling and waste site (tip)
- Ask to see a valid waste carriers license. When shown, make sure you check the registration number is valid on the waste carriers register - which can be done on the Environment Agency website by clicking here
- Our large waste items for collection service allows for up to 3 large household items or 12 sacks of waste to be collected for a charge.