Fly-tipping (dumped rubbish)

Rubbish on any land (public or private)

Fly-tipping is the illegal act of dumping rubbish anywhere, on any land, with no intention of having it cleared. 

Common fly-tipped items include furniture and household appliances, building rubble, carpeting, shopping trolleys, hazardous waste and any other items of waste. A fly-tip can also be any rubbish bag, bulky or loose material that has been dumped in a public space or left on land without the landowner's permission.

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) with a fine of £1000 is issued for offences of fly-tipping.

We collect rubbish on council land, including roads, pavements, public car parks, green spaces and council housing estates.

We do not:

• collect rubbish in natural watercourses or rivers - this is dealt with by the Environment Agency (0800 80 70 60)
• collect rubbish in canals or towpaths. This is dealt with by the Canal and River Trust (opens new window)
• remove missed bin collections - you can report a missed bin collection online
• remove rubbish accumulation on council land - can report rubbish accumulation online 
• remove injured animal - please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

Report rubbish on public or private land

Rubbish on residential or business premises

We will investigate complaints of fly-tipping / rubbish accumulation if evidence is provided.

If we can identify the offender, financial penalties will be issued and, if necessary, more serious issues will be referred to the local magistrates' court for prosecution.

Offenders can be: 

• fined up to £50,000 in magistrates' court 
• fined an unlimited amount in crown court 
• given community service  
• sent to prison for up to 5 years.

Complete our online form, if you have:

• witnessed fly-tipping or dumped rubbish 
• photographs or videos of fly-tipping 
• details of the offender (a description, a name and/or other information)
• a description of any vehicles involved in the fly-tipping (ie model, make, colour and registration)
• an exact location of the fly-tipping 
• the time of the of the fly-tipping 
• The direction they came from and left in (if you know their address) 
• any other evidence that could help us catch fly-tippers.

Report rubbish on residential or business premises

If we are able to take action, we will usually serve a statutory notice, requiring the owner or occupier to remove, and properly dispose of, the rubbish within 21 days.

Failure to comply with the notice will result in either prosecution or the council will carry out the work, which will be charged to the owner or occupier.