Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste in or on land which is not authorised in law. Fly tipping is a crime.
Common items of waste found fly tipped include household bagged waste and large unwanted domestic items such as fridges, freezers, televisions and mattresses.
Legal penalties for flytipping
Flytipping is a crime. The seriousness of this illegal activity is reflected in that the courts can impose a fine of up to £50,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months, or an unlimited fine and imprisonment for up to five years in the Crown Court.
What to do if you witness flytipped waste
If you witness flytipping take place -
do not touch any of the waste – it may contain syringes, broken glass or hazardous chemicals
do not approach the people flytipping
make a note of the day, date and time of the flytipping
make a note of how many people were flytipping, a description of their appearance and their vehicle (including make, model, colour and registration number)
if it is safe to do so, take photographs pf the people and vehicles involved
If you discover fly tipped waste -
tell us if it is near sensitive locations such as a school, rivers or drains, or on the highway
take photographs of the flytipped waste
tell us if you see any items that may be hazardous (for example chemical drums or symbols that say toxic, harmful or an irritant)
Report flytipping
If you have been a victim of flytipping, see any fly tipped waste, witness waste being fly tipped or know someone who is doing it in your neighbourhood, please report it to us using the online form below. Please report as much detail as possible in the form.
Your report of fly tipped waste will be investigated by and subject to enforcement action by our environmental crime unit.
Flytipped waste will be cleared by one of our area neighbourhood teams if the waste has been dumped on public land, open spaces or the highway.
If the fly tipped waste is on private land then the landlord or tenant is responsible for removing the illegally dumped waste. Legal obligations will apply to you in relation to the removal and disposal of fly tipped waste on your property.
If there is evidence to identify the person or people responsible for the flytipping, we will take enforcement action. If convicted, you may be able to recover the costs that you have incurred clearing your land.
Clearing fly tipped waste from private land
If you pay someone else to remove and dispose of fly tipped waste from your land, you must make sure that these persons are authorised and that you are given and keep safe a ‘controlled waste transfer note’. You will need this note as evidence should any wastes that have been removed from your land be found fly tipped elsewhere.
If anyone fails to provide you with a controlled waste transfer note, refuse to use their services and report them to us online or on 01482 300 300.
In England and Wales, the disposal and recovery of waste is strictly controlled.
Only registered waste carriers are lawfully permitted to remove and transport waste from where it is produced to an authorised waste management facility for disposal or recovery.
You can check whether a person is authorised on the Environment Agency’s website.
Flytipping can lead to serious pollution of the local environment and significantly harm health and the quality of peoples’ lives. Flytipping also affects the health of local water courses and public spaces, damages wildlife and ecosystems and reduces the value of property.
Contact us
Citysafe Hull City Council Kingston House Bond Street Hull HU1 3ER
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