Fly tipping is defined as the ‘illegal deposit of any waste onto land that does not have a licence to accept it.’ Uncontrolled illegal waste disposal can be hazardous to the public, especially if it contains toxic material or asbestos.
It is estimated to cost £100 -£150 million every year in the UK to investigate and clear up fly tipped waste. This cost falls to taxpayers and private land owners.
Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence for which you can be prosecuted. The courts have various powers available to them to tackle fly tipping, including imprisonment, substantial fines of up to £50,000, orders to pay costs and an order to deprive rights to a vehicle used to commit the offence.
Householders and businesses have a duty to ensure that their waste is disposed of legally.
If you use a trader to remove your waste ask to see their waste carrier permit issued by the Environment Agency
Whether you find someone through social media, an advert, or even someone approaching you directly – you need to check they are a registered waste carrier and they have a waste carrier permit. It is illegal for them to take your waste if they are not and they could be a rogue trader.
Ask for their waste carrier number and contact the Environment Agency directly on 03708 506 506 for a free instant waste carrier check or check online using the link in Related Content.
Ensure that you receive a transfer notice or receipt before your waste is taken away.
Households
Householders should ensure that all their waste is disposed of via their wheeled bins; the recycling banks around the District, the recycling centres for household waste or the Council’s chargeable bulky waste collection. For more information on these services please see the related link to recycling below.
Businesses
Business premises have a duty to ensure that their waste is stored and disposed of lawfully. Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires businesses to make sure that they only transfer waste onto an authorised person in order to dispose of it correctly.
Report it
Dumping rubbish is illegal. If you report it, the rubbish can be removed and with your help the crime can be investigated. If you see someone fly tipping, or you want to report an area where fly tipping has taken place take note of the following:
- Date, time and place of the incident
- What the waste looks like and how much there
- Descriptions of any person and/or vehicle involved along with the registration number
- If the waste constitutes a lorry-load or more, or contains hazardous waste of any kind, or if you see illegal tipping in progress, you should contact the Environment Agency or Crimestoppers. The Environment Agency can be contacted via a National Incident Control Centre on 0800 80 70 60. Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 – reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers.
- Anything that constitutes a van-load or less, and does not contain hazardous material should be reported to Rochford District Council.