GUIDE · FLY TIPPING
What is fly tipping?
Dumped waste costs councils millions every year to clear up, and as a householder you can be fined even when someone else did the dumping.
The short answer
Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that does not have a licence to take it, such as roadsides, fields, alleys and car parks. It can lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to £1,000, or an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison if it goes to court.
What counts as fly tipping?
Anything from a single bin bag to a lorry load can count. Common examples are bags of rubbish left by bins, old mattresses and sofas on the pavement, and building waste dumped in country lanes. Leaving items outside a charity shop when it is closed can also count.
It is an offence under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Fly tipping fines
| Fixed penalty for dumping waste | Up to £1,000 |
|---|---|
| Householder duty of care fixed penalty | Up to £600 |
| On conviction | Unlimited fine and up to 5 years in prison |
| Vehicles used | Can be seized |
Your duty of care as a householder
You are responsible for your waste until it reaches someone allowed to take it. If you pay a man with a van who then dumps it, the waste can be traced back to you, and you can be fined.
Before you hand over any waste:
- Ask to see their waste carrier licence, and check it on the Environment Agency public register.
- Ask where the waste is going.
- Get a receipt with the company name and contact details.
- Be wary of very cheap quotes from people who cold-call or advertise only on social media.
D J Recycling is a registered upper tier waste carrier, licence CBDU389101. Read more about checking a waste carrier licence.
How to report fly tipping
In Worthing and Adur, report it to Adur and Worthing Councils. Elsewhere in West Sussex, report it to your district or borough council. Note the location, what was dumped and, if safe, any vehicle registration. Do not touch the waste, as it can contain sharp or hazardous items.
Getting rid of waste the legal way
Most illegal dumping starts with waste that is awkward to move. A skip, a rubbish collection or a sofa collection from a licensed company takes it away properly, with the paperwork to prove it.
Common questions
What is the meaning of fly tipping?
It means illegally dumping waste on land that has no licence to accept it, such as a roadside, field or alley.
What is the fine for fly tipping?
Councils can issue a fixed penalty of up to £1,000. If the case goes to court, the fine is unlimited and the offender can be sent to prison for up to five years.
Can I be fined if someone else dumps my waste?
Yes. Householders can get a fixed penalty of up to £600 if they gave waste to someone without a licence and it was fly tipped.
How do I check a waste carrier licence?
Ask for their licence number and look it up on the Environment Agency public register of waste carriers. A genuine company will be happy to show it.
Who clears fly tipping on private land?
The landowner is usually responsible for clearing dumped waste on private land. On public land, the local council clears it.
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