Fly-Tipping Advice for Individuals, Landowners & Businesses

It is widely recognised that fly-tipping is best combated through partnerships between local authorities, other enforcement agencies and the Environment Agency. The Fly-tipping partnership framework outlines best practice for the prevention, reporting, investigation, and clearance of fly-tipping. It encourages partnership working at a local level and provides ideas that can be adapted by local groups to suit their own circumstances. 

Individuals are legally responsible for any household waste produced on their property. This is known as ‘duty of care’.  

If you decide to use a waste carrier (other than your local council) to remove household, garden or construction waste always ask for their waste carrier number. If in doubt check their details on the public register of waste carriers or call the environment agency on 08708 506 506. For further advice. please see the NFTPG’s Advice for householders.  

Businesses are legally responsible for its waste from the date it is produced until it is recycled or disposed of, including all storage and handling stages. Businesses could face an unlimited fine if their waste ends up fly-tipped and they cannot show that they took reasonable steps to prevent it. 

Businesses are required to use a registered waste business to collect, recycle or dispose of waste or register to transport their own waste in England. For further advice please see the NFTPG’s Advice for businesses. 

Landowners are responsible for the land that they own and therefore for clearing and disposing of any fly-tipping found on that land. Local authorities will not clear waste dumped on private land free of charge but they may investigate such incidents where appropriate.  

There are however several steps landowners can take to prevent fly-tipping on their land such as physical improvements, site management improvement and deterrence methods. For further advice please see the NFTPG’s Advice for landowners.   

Both local authorities and the Environment Agency have powers to tackle fly-tipping. Local authorities are responsible for clearing the waste from public land only. Whereas the Environment Agency investigates major illegal fly-tipping incidents if they occur on public or private land. For further information please see Fly-tipping responsibilities: A guide for local authorities, the Environment Agency and land managers.