Keep Britain Tidy launches anti-fly-tipping campaign

Keep Britain Tidy has called for action to target rogue waste operators and strengthen enforcement on waste crime as new research shows that fly-tipping incidents are rising.

Research from the environmental charity revealed that 98 per cent of councils say fly-tipping is a problem in their area, with almost three quarters (70%) reporting a ‘major problem’.

96 per cent of councils are frustrated with the increasing severity of the issue. 56 per cent say incidents have increased in the last year.

Meanwhile, 54 per cent believe that they won't ever get on top of the problem.

It was also revealed that 40 per cent of fly-tipping incidents are coming from rogue white van operators, not individuals.

More than 1.15 million fly-tipping incidents were reported in 2023-24 by councils.

The cost to landowners and tax payers is estimated to range from £100 million to £150 million for clearance and investigation.

Keep Britain Tidy has launched a Fly-tipping Action plan, calling for coordinated national action with a series of measures.

These include smarter prevention - for example, facilitating the legitimate disposal of goods; stricter permitting and easier recognition for waste carriers, improved education for householders and increased responsibility on companies to collect, reuse and recycle commonly fly-tipped goods.

It also calls for tougher enforcement, ensuring local authorities are better equipped to catch waste criminals; introducing stronger penalties and deterrents including higher fines, points on driving licences and crushing of vehicles used by criminals.

Keep Britain Tidy is now running a public awareness campaign to show people how to avoid a #RubbishDeal, when paying someone to take away their rubbish.

Dr. Anna Scott, director of services at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime nor is it petty offending, it is organised crime that undermines responsible businesses, damages our environment and erodes public trust. To turn the tide, we need tougher penalties to deter offenders, a robust permitting system so rogue operators can’t hide in plain sight and measures that make it easier for people to dispose of waste legally and responsibly."