Fly tipping

Report fly tipping

Online report it form.

Thousands of people are contributing to the fly tipping problem in England and have no idea they are doing anything wrong.

Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste – anything from fridges or washing machines, to black bin bags and boxes and it’s a growing problem in Essex and Nationwide.

Fly tips come from a number of sources and include domestic rubbish bags and household goods, trade businesses tipping waste, and large professional fly tippers carrying up to 40 tonnes or more of hard core waste.

Fly tipping is illegal under The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the maximum fine is £50,000 and/or up to five years in prison.

#CrimeNotToCare is helping ensure residents do the right thing with their rubbish and to reduce the amount of household waste that is fly-tipped by rogue traders who offer to take people’s waste away for money and then dump it.

Giving waste to a ‘man with a van’ who offers to get rid of it cheaply could end up proving costly for people which can result in a fine and/or criminal record.

Remember - if it’s your waste, it’s your responsibility.  If your waste is found dumped, even if someone else has done it, you could be held responsible for the crime.

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1.  If you use a trader to remove your waste, ask to see their waste carriers registration number issued by the Environment Agency

Whether you find someone through social media, an advert or even someone approaching you directly – you need to check they are a registered waste carrier. It is illegal for them to take your waste if they are not and they could be a rogue trader.

Ask for their waste carrier number and vehicle details, check online at the Environment Agency website or contact the Environment Agency directly on 03708 506 506 for a free instant waste carrier check

2.  Ensure that you receive a transfer note or receipt before your waste is taken away

3.  Check where your waste is going

Being a registered waste carrier means the person can legally remove your rubbish, but you still need to check what is going to happen to it.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for paperwork that shows where your waste is going.

A legitimate waste carrier should not object to you asking these questions

4. Protect yourself by taking care with your waste

• Make a note of who you have given your waste to, their waste carrier details and vehicle details.
• You should never leave any waste such as an old washing machine or scrap metal on your drive or in the street for someone to remove.  They may not be a registered waste carrier, and could take the bits they need and dump the rest.
• You should never leave items out for others to re-use. You can donate good quality items to your local reuse organisation or charity shop, or give items to someone who could make use of them.

If you have any concerns or any information regarding rogue waste traders then please do not hesitate to contact us on recycle@tendringdc.gov.uk

Remember it’s your waste, your responsibility – check to protect yourself

On publicly owned land both District Councils and the Environment Agency have powers to tackle fly tipping, however it is always the responsibility of the landowner to clear up fly tipping on their own land.  Statutory notices will be served on owners or occupiers to clean up privately owned land and property where fly-tipping has occurred.

District Councils clear up fly tipping on publicly owned land, including roads and lay-bys.

The Environment Agency investigates the larger scale incidents of fly tipping, over 20 tonnes, involving hazardous waste and incidents involving organised gangs of fly tippers.

What can you do to help?

Make sure you are aware of the refuse and recycling collection day in your area, you can check your collection day.

Please put your rubbish bags out on the morning of collection by 7am.

If you see a fly tip happening, please take the details of any vehicle involved, the time, date and basic description of the offenders.  Make sure you record a description of the type of waste (black bags, an old sofa, fridge etc).  Under no circumstances should you approach or talk to the offender(s) and do not touch or move fly tipped materials, etc. You should report the details to us using our online report it form.

What we will do to help

If anyone is caught fly tipping, they will be issued with a fixed penalty notice and/or prosecuted.

The Council's contractors aim to clear fly-tipped waste within 72 hours of it being reported. Asbestos and other hazardous waste has to be collected by a specialist contractor and may take a little longer.

Our Contractors, Veolia, offer a chargeable collection service for bulky goods such as fridges and furniture through our contractors.  Please contact Veolia direct on 01255 431620 for the current charge or to arrange collection.

Essex County Council provides four Household Recycling Centres across the Tendring district where you can dispose of bulky items and household waste free of charge.