Fly-tipping affects many communities in various ways and causes an unsightly scene, but for rural areas, it can have significant consequences

  • Fly-tipping is the only crime where the victims (private landowners) have a legal responsibility to dispose of the waste
  • Fly-tipping affects 67% of farmers and is estimated to cost them £47 million every year
  • The average cost to clean up an incident is £800
  • Only 1 in 600 incidents of fly-tipping lead to a prosecution
  • The most common punishment is a fine of less than £430
  • 997,553 incidents of illegal dumping in 2017-18
  •  Estimates of true costs of fly-tipping lie between £100m and £150m each year

 

The National Fly-tipping Prevention Group recommends the following steps if you find waste dumped on your land

  • Exercise caution. Some fly-tipped waste can be hazardous. Do not open bags or drums and be aware that piles of soil may be contaminated or hide dangerous material.
  • Record as many details as possible about the waste and when you found it. If possible take a photograph of the waste.
  • Report the incident – do not move the waste or remove any evidence from it until the authorities have been notified.
  • Secure the waste so that it cannot be interfered with or added to.
  • Remember that fly-tippers are doing something illegal – they are unlikely to welcome people observing them. Do not put yourself at risk – if fly-tipping is in progress, call 999.
  • When arranging for disposal, ensure that you use a registered waste carrier, as if it is dumped elsewhere you could be held responsible and face an unlimited fine.
  • Ensure that you get documentation which includes the details of the waste and who is taking it away.
  • If you take the waste to a licensed waste site yourself, make sure you are registered as a waste carrier.
  • If the waste is hazardous then make sure that it is being carried and disposed of by those licensed to deal with hazardous waste.
  • Keep full details of your clearance and disposal costs. Successful prosecution can mean that your costs incurred for the removal of the waste can also be recovered.

Source - Countryside Alliance website