Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It doesn’t matter how much is dumped—whether it’s a single bag or a van load, it’s still a criminal offence.
Fly-tipping includes:
- leaving waste beside street bins or recycling banks
- dumping rubbish in communal bin areas
- leaving items outside closed recycling centres or charity shops
Your legal responsibility
As a resident, you have a legal duty of care to make sure your waste is disposed of correctly. If your waste is fly-tipped—even by someone else—you could still be held responsible and fined.
To stay safe:
- always use a registered waste carrier
- ask for a waste transfer note if someone removes waste for you
- check if a waste carrier is licensed on the Environment Agency’s register
How to report fly-tipping
If you see fly-tipping, please report it—even if you didn’t witness it happening.
When reporting, try to include:
- the exact location
- the date and time you discovered it
- a description of the waste and how much there is
- any photos of the fly-tip
- details of any vehicles or people involved, if known
If you witness fly-tipping in progress, call 999 and report it as a crime.
How to dispose of waste legally
To avoid fly-tipping, use one of the following services:
- kerbside bin collections – check your collection dates
- bulky waste collection – £30 for up to 3 items
- recycling banks or household waste recycling centres