Copyright: Environment Agency
Fly Tipping
Fly-tipping is illegal, bad for the environment and often a health hazard. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that clearing fly-tipped rubbish from the streets costs local councils £4 million a month.
According to DEFRA, household waste (including leftover DIYmaterial and abandoned electrical goods such as fridges) account for half of all fly-tipped rubbish in England. Local councils can tell you the correct way to dispose of your household waste. There is useful guidance in the Waste section under 'Duty of Care'.
As well as uninformed householders, organised criminal gangs carry out fly-tipping, operating illegal waste disposal services for money.
There are two main ways of reporting fly tipping, depending on how much waste has been dumped. For large amounts - upwards of 20 cubic metres or 18 tonnes of rubbish - call the Environment Agency's free 24-hour hotline, 0800 807060. For smaller amounts you need to call your local council (if you call the Environment Agency about the odd sofa or small amounts they will redirect you). Have to hand information on the location of the dumping, what the rubbish might be, where it might have come from and if it's a regular occurrence. Or you can inform the police, especially if you are concerned that a vehicle is being used for fly-tipping.
You can also visit the Fix My Street website (link opposite) where you can report online a fly tipping problem and they will pass on the complaint to your local council.
Local councils now have more powers to penalise illegal fly tipping and duty of care offences under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Fixed penalty notices can be issued if people do not comply with the duty of care obligations. They could also be convicted and face up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to £50,000, or both. Further information on fly-tipping is provided in ENCAMS, Fly Tipping and the Law- A Guide for the Public.