Report Fly-tipping

Key Statistics

The most common fly-tip is a black bin bag of household rubbish at the side of a main road

Poll

Do you know the difference between littering and fly-tipping?




Who does what in response to fly-tipping?

A summary of protocol 6

Protocol 6 it sets out the division of responsibilities for tackling illegal dumping between the Environment Agency and local authorities. Below gives a summary of who, broadly speaking, is responsible for what sorts of incidents.

The Environment Agency deals with:

  • BIG: Large illegal waste sites (greater than 20 tonnes)
  • BAD: Evidence of organised tipping or criminal business practice
  • NASTY: Drummed hazardous waste

They will investigate Big, Bad or Nasty illegal dumping incidents if they occur on public or private land.

In Wales, the Environment Agency receive specific funding from the Government (£50,000 per year) to investigate and clean up 'Nasty' waste incidents on all types of land where there is an imminent risk of harm or pollution.

The Environment Agency only clears up waste where there is an immediate risk to the environment and human health. They are not funded to clean up all illegally dumped waste on private or public land.

Go to the Environment Agency's website for more information

The Local Authorities are responsible for smaller scale dumping of waste:

The Local Authority is responsible for investigating and clearing the waste from Public land only.

The Local authority may investigate on private land but they have no obligation to clear the waste from private land. This will depend upon the discretion of the Local Auhtority.

Go to the Defra website for more information

Want to know more about reporting incidents and where to go?

Visit our Reporting Fly-tipping support page