It’s harmful to wildlife, it’s bad for the environment, and it’s a complete eyesore — it’s safe to say that fly tipping is pretty much universally hated. But despite the damage it does to the world around us, it continues to persist.
In fact, fly tipping incidents increased by 2% between 2018 and 2020, from 957,000 cases reported in 2018/19, to 976,000 reported in 2019/20 (Government Statistical Service)1. And this doesn’t even account for the rapid increase of reports during lockdown, when the closure of tips lead some areas to experience a 300% rise in fly tipping cases (Countryside Alliance)2. Millions of taxpayers’ pounds are wasted every year by councils cleaning up the mess left behind, and it doesn’t look like this is set to improve anytime soon.
It’s clear that something needs to be done about the issue. But this may be difficult, as many people don’t understand what is classed as fly tipping. Here at SkipsAndBins, we’re passionate about encouraging people to dispose of their waste responsibly, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you understand what fly tipping is. As well as answering the question “what is fly tipping?”, we’ll explain how and where to report fly tipping, and how prevent it from happening in the first place. We’ll cover the following topics:
The basics: What is fly tipping?
Fly tipping is defined as illegally disposing of controlled waste onto a piece of land that isn’t a licensed waste facility or container. Controlled waste refers to any type of waste that is subject to regulation by the Environmental Protection Act, passed in 1990 (legislation.gov.uk)3. Fly tipping is a criminal offence that has serious consequences.
Whether the waste comes from a household or a business, the act of fly tipping is still illegal. Although when we think of fly tipping, we often picture a mountain of waste and discarded appliances, even one loose bin bag still counts. Many people fly tip without even being aware of it. The following examples may not seem extreme, but they’re all types of fly tipping:
- Putting a bin bag next to your full wheelie bin.
- Leaving waste anywhere that is not technically classed as private property, such as outside your back gate or on your back lane.
- Leaving waste on someone else’s land with their consent, if they don’t have a waste management licence.
Of course, there are many forms of fly tipping that are far more extreme than the ones above — the size of the average load of fly tipping waste would fill a small van (Government Statistical Service)4. But whether it’s a mountain of waste or just one bag, disposing of rubbish in this manner is unsafe, illegal, and can get you into a lot of trouble.
Types of fly tipping waste
There are many different types of fly tipping waste, ranging from the small things, like a couple of bin bags, to the big, like large household objects and appliances. The following are all types of waste that is left behind by fly tippers:
- Household waste: Waste generated by a household, which could be anything from just one bag of disposable waste, to large appliances. This is the most common type of waste.
- Commercial waste: Waste generated by any type of business.
- Garden waste: Waste that comes from the garden, such as grass, weeds, and twigs. Many people don’t realise that dumping grass is still fly tipping, even if it doesn’t seem as damaging to the environment as other types of waste.
- Construction: Waste that comes from construction or demolition work. It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove this waste.
- Other: The Department for Environment and Rural Affair’s (DEFRA) 2021 report identified other waste as vehicle parts, animal carcasses, clinical waste, asbestos, and chemical drums (DEFRA)5.
For more information on finding the right service for disposing of particular types of waste, make sure to check out our handy guide to permitted waste types.
What’s the difference between fly tipping and littering?
The difference between littering and fly tipping is pretty simple: littering refers to anything less than a black bin bar’s worth of rubbish, whereas fly tipping is disposing of larger loads of waste.
Littering is something that is often done in the spur of the moment, or maybe even mistakenly. Fly tipping on the other hand, is usually planned in advance due to the size of the waste. Although both are harmful for the environment and not pleasant to look at, fly tipping has significantly more serious consequences for the culprit than littering.
The law around fly tipping
Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence, and can carry some hefty penalties. The crime fits the time, so there’s not one blanket punishment for different levels of fly tipping. Each case is measured by the amount of waste that is fly tipped, the impact the waste has on the environment, and the cost of disposing of the waste correctly and cleaning the area.
Is fly tipping a police matter?
Fly tipping can be a police matter, but in many instances, the police should not be the first service that you call. On the advice and information section of the Metropolitan Police website, they state that although action will be taken if they catch people in the act of fly tipping, they rarely follow up on reports of waste that has already been fly tipped (Metropolitan Police)6. It’s best to contact your local council first to get the waste removed. If local authorities suspect someone of using a vehicle to transport waste for fly tipping, they can stop, search, and seize the vehicle in the presence of a police officer (MyLawyer)7.
Police don’t generally deal with small cases of fly tipping, but you should contact them if you witness someone fly tipping large amounts of waste first-hand, as well as the Environment Agency National Customer Contact Centre (GOV.UK)8.
Make sure to note down as much information as possible, including the location of the waste, type of waste, vehicle type, number plates, and descriptions of the culprits.
What happens when someone gets caught fly tipping?
Since 2016, anyone who is caught fly tipping can face an on-the-spot fine of up to £400, depending on the severity of the incident (GOV.UK)9. But if the case is serious enough to go to court, the culprits can face even tougher punishments. The maximum penalty in a Magistrates’ Court is a £50,000 fine and 12-month prison sentence, and the maximum penalty in a Crown Court is even more severe, with a five-year prison sentence and an unlimited fine (House of Commons Library)10.
In 2019/20, there were 41 custodial sentences and 2,671 fines given out for fly tipping offences, which amounted to £1,170,000 overall (Government Statistical Service)11.
How much is a fine for fly tipping?
If you get caught fly tipping, it will cost you a pretty penny. An on-the-spot fine for fly tipping ranges between £150 to £400. But as we already know, if the case goes to a Crown Court then there is no limit to the fine. People caught out are far more likely to get a fine than a prison sentence, as these are only for the most extreme cases.
How to report fly tipping
Although we all want something done about the illegal dumping of waste, many people don’t know how to report fly tipping. If you catch someone in the act of fly tipping large quantities of waste, it is a police matter, so you must report it as soon as you see it.
For small amounts of waste on land that isn’t your own, such as a few bin bags or one major appliance, you should contact the local council for the area where the waste is located. To find the correct council, use this postcode tool on the GOV.UK website. Once you report it, the council will take steps to organise the removal of the waste.
In the more extreme cases, you should report the waste to the Environment Agency National Customer Contact Centre, as they have the resources to deal with this quickly (GOV.UK)12. You should also contact them if waste is in or near a watercourse, as this could lead to contamination.
When you report the incident, try to have the following information to hand:
- The exact location of the waste, and the type of land it’s on.
- The type of waste it is (don’t touch it as it may be dangerous, but you can get closer to look at it if you need to).
- The rough quantity of the waste.
- Your contact information.
If you see the incident occur in person, you should also share:
- The exact date and time of the incident.
- Descriptions of the culprits.
- A description of all the vehicles involved, including the make, colour, and registration, if possible.
It’s important that you don’t interfere with the waste in any way. Even if it looks safe, it may be hazardous. It’s fine if you need to get closer in order to report it accurately, but avoid touching it.
What to do if someone fly tips on your property
If you’ve ever had someone fly tip on your private land, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. It’s unsanitary, it’s messy, and it can be a real hassle to sort out. Unfortunately, the law dictates that it is the responsibility of the land owner to dispose of the waste in a safe and responsible manner. This means that you’ll have to use your own money and resources to get rid of it. While you can contact your local authority or the Environment Agency to ask for advice on how to proceed, they cannot dispose of it for you.
Despite being stuck with sorting the waste out yourself, you should still take the time to report the incident. If the culprits are caught and prosecuted, you may be reimbursed. Make sure to keep receipts of any payment you make when disposing of the waste to get an accurate reimbursement. You should report fly tipping on private land in the same way as you would if it was on public land.
Don’t move the waste until the report has been made. And if you have insurance to protect your land, your policy may cover the cost of fly tipping disposal, so make sure to check this before shelling out for a removal service.
You should not transport the waste yourself. Not only could this be unsafe, especially if the waste is hazardous, but you cannot legally transport it if you don’t have a waste carrier licence. Make sure to use a reputable, fully licensed waste removal service, like SkipsAndBins.com, for peace of mind.
If you catch them in the act
As tempting as it may be to confront someone when you see them fly tipping on your land, you should avoid approaching them as they may become violent. Instead, call the police immediately, and make a note of the important details, including the exact time and location, the waste that they’re dumping, and descriptions of the culprits and their vehicles. If possible, take clear photographic and video evidence, but try to avoid being spotted while doing so.
How to prevent people fly tipping on your land
Although there’s no way of telling if and when fly tippers will dump rubbish on your land, there are a number of preventative tactics that you can use, such as:
- Securing gates: Keep fly tippers and their vehicles out by making sure the entrance to your land is secure. To up your security, use padlocks on both sides of the gate when locking up.
- Installing high fences: Although a secure gate will prevent vehicles from coming through, it won’t stop fly tippers from jumping over and dumping their waste. Install high fences with barbed wire at the top to prevent criminals from trespassing.
- Fitting CCTV and lights: If criminals do get in, it’s important to get as much information on them as possible to get them sentenced. Put CCTV around the land, and make sure that the area is well lit. Plus, displaying signage warning potential criminals that CCTV is in operation is often enough to deter them in the first place!
- Regular monitoring: If you regularly leave your land unattended, word will likely spread amongst frequent fly tippers. Make sure to check your land at least a couple of times a week. If you can’t, get someone that you know and trust to do so on your behalf.
- Enclosed skip: Fly tippers often see open skips as an invitation to dump their rubbish, so opt for an enclosed one instead. Many of our 12-yard skips are enclosed, so make sure to check them out. If you have a smaller skip or bin, you could store it in a secure shed instead.
How to avoid fly tipping yourself
Whether your waste is from a household or business, everyone has a duty to ensure that it is disposed of in a responsible manner. However, it can be difficult to do so when you don’t have the right facilities. Here at SkipsAndBins.com, we have the resources to help you discard of your rubbish responsibly, and without hassle.
Skip hire
If you have a lot of waste in need of a one-off collection, a skip will probably suit your needs best. Here at SkipsAndBins.com, we offer two different sizes of skip:
- 8–yard skips: This is the most popular size of skip in the UK, as they’re perfect for large amounts of both domestic and commercial waste. Their measurements are 1250mm (H) x 3500mm (W) x 1950mm (L), and some can hold up to 5000kg of waste.
- 12–yard skips: This type of skip is perfect for disposing large amounts of trade, business, or commercial waste. Their measurements are 1800mm (H) x 1900 (W) x 3750mm (L), and some can hold up to 2600kg of waste.
For more help choosing the right skip for you, make sure to check out our skip size guide.
Before you place your order, remember that not every type of waste is suitable for a skip. You should not use them to dispose of hazardous materials, such as batteries, clinical waste, paint, and electronics, amongst other things. For more information, check out our guide on what you can (and can’t) put in a skip. Each skip is dedicated to different kinds of rubbish, so make sure to check which one best suits your waste type before you book.
If it is going to be placed on public land, you must purchase a skip permit — if you don’t, you will receive a fine of up to £1000. Most of the time, the team at SkipsAndBins.com will be able to sort it out for you. But some areas of the UK require the homeowner to apply for the permit themselves. Fortunately, this is a pretty easy process, as all you need to do is contact your local council and they’ll help you from there. For more information, check out our guide to skip permits. The average cost of a skip permit is £30.
Bins and FEL containers
If you need to dispose of excess waste regularly, our variety of wheelie bins and FEL containers are your best choice. There are a wide range for you to choose from, including:
- 240L wheelie bin: These are the same size as the bin your council provides, and they measure around 1055mm (H) x 575mm (W) x 730mm (D). They’re perfect for homes and small businesses.
- 360L wheelie bin: These bins are often used by small- to medium-sized businesses. They measure around 1100mm (H) x 620mm (W) x 850mm (D).
- 660L wheelie bin: These are much larger than the bin that your local council provides, and can fit around 10 full bags of waste. They measure around 1200mm (H) x 1195mm (W) x 797mm (D).
- 1100L wheelie bin: This is the largest wheelie bin we offer, and is usually chosen by medium to large businesses. They measure around 1400mm (H) x 1370mm (W) x 1077mm (D).
- 8-yard FEL: This option is perfect for medium to large businesses that generate a lot of waste. They measure around 2000mm (H) x 1780mm (W) x 1750mm (D) and hold up to 250kg, which is roughly equivalent to 60 bags of waste.
- 10-yard FEL: This option is often used by large businesses that generate a lot of waste. They measure around 2,000mm (H) x 1,780mm (W) x 2,060mm (D) and hold up to 300kg, which is roughly equivalent to 80 bags of waste.
As you can see, our wide variety of options cater to pretty much every need. But if you require something different, don’t worry, as we may be able to help. To find out more, simply request a bespoke waste removal service and our friendly customer team will respond promptly.
Ordering your waste disposal container
When you find what you’re looking for, it’s time to start your order! The order process is speedy, hassle-free, and can all be done online. With skips, all you need to do is give us your delivery postcode, tell us whether a permit is required, and let us know how long you need it for. We will collect the skip within three working days of this date, but you can easily request an early collection if you need to.
Ordering wheelie bins and FEL containers is incredibly simple too. Simply provide us with your delivery postcode, select the number of bins or FEL containers that you require, and choose how often you’d like the waste to be collected. This ranges from fortnightly to multiple times a week, and you can even let us know your preferred collection days if you opt for our multiple collections a week option!
One of the most popular things about our services is that we’ve got the perfect deal for everyone. Our pay-as-you-go waste removal service is great for people who only need a one-off collection, and our simple 12-month automatic-renewal contracts take the hassle out of organising your waste disposal. For more information about the booking process, make sure to check out our how it works guide.
After reading this guide, you should have a good understanding of what fly tipping is, how to report it, and how to prevent it. For a low cost and reliable waste disposal service that can be booked within minutes, explore the range of services that SkipsAndBins.com have to offer. And for more handy advice like this, make sure to check out the guides available at our help centre.
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964062/FlyTipping_201920_Statistical_Release_Acc_checked_FINAL.pdf
- https://www.countryside-alliance.org/news/2020/4/don-t-be-a-twit-and-fly-tip
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/contents
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964062/FlyTipping_201920_Statistical_Release_Acc_checked_FINAL.pdf
- https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/fly-tipping-and-other-littering/
- https://www.mylawyer.co.uk/fly-tipping-a-A76076D35091/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-penalties-to-crack-down-on-fly-tipping
- https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05672/
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/964062/FlyTipping_201920_Statistical_Release_Acc_checked_FINAL.pdf
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency