No rubbish excuses
There are no excuses
Fly-tipping is a crime
There are no rubbish excuses for dumping waste in our neighbourhoods. During June, councils are taking increased enforcement action to stop illegal dumping and protect recycling sites and streets.
What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste, including:
- Rubbish left by recycling banks
- Furniture or mattresses dumped on pavements
- White goods left on streets
- Business or building waste dumped on public land
All fly-tipping is investigated and offenders may be fined or prosecuted.
Your waste, your responsibility
Even if you pay someone else to remove your rubbish, it remains your legal responsibility until it is correctly disposed of. If fly tipped waste is traced back to you, you could receive a fine or face prosecution.
Before giving waste to anyone:
- Check they are a licensed waste carrier at: Register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers (data.gov.uk)
- Ask how and where your waste will be disposed of
- Always get a receipt or invoice with full details
Who can be fined?
Householders
You could receive a fine for fly-tipping of up to £400 if:
- Fly-tipped waste is traced back to you
- You fail to check the waste carrier is authorised
- You do not keep paperwork or receipts
Builders and tradespeople
Fly-tipping can result in:
- A minimum £800 fine
- Vehicle seizure
- A criminal record
Businesses
All business waste must be collected by a licensed waste carrier. Failure to comply can lead to fixed penalties, prosecution or unlimited fines.
Fly-tip under investigation
You may see dumped waste marked with 'Fly-tip under investigation' signs. This means evidence is being gathered, and enforcement action may follow.
If you have information, please contact us.
Seen a fly-tip?
If you see fly-tipping or dumped waste, report fly-tipping to us as soon as possible. Your reports help us take action and keep areas clean.
No rubbish excuses. It’s your waste. It’s your responsibility.
Last updated: 02/06/2026 12:08
