Fly-tipping is illegally dumped rubbish onto land. It can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment.
Fly tipped waste generally consists of large items of rubbish such as general household waste, larger domestic items including fridges and mattresses, garden refuse, commercial builders rubble, clinical waste and tyres.
Taking Action
An area that is heavily littered or fly tipped gives the impression of increased crime levels and safety concerns. It also encourages others to dump their rubbish there. Fly tipping costs hundreds of thousands of pounds in clearance charges each year - money that ultimately comes out of council tax payers' pockets. Dover District Council is working to combat fly tipping and other waste crime offences.
We know it is only a small minority of people who don't take care of our District. We rely on your help to bring prosecutions and stop those who continue to dump waste in the Dover District. Please help us by reporting fly tipping and other environmental crimes.
If you see someone fly-tipping, make a note of:
- how many people are involved and what they look like
- what has been tipped - how much and what it looks like
- details of any vehicles involved including make, colour and registration number if possible
If you discover fly-tipped waste:
- Don't touch the waste - it may contain syringes, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances
- Don't disturb the site - there may be evidence that could help identify the fly tippers and lead to their prosecution
- Visually try to work out what the waste consists of and how much there is
- Make a note of the day, date and time you saw the tipping, its exact location and whether it's in or near water
- Take a photo if it's safe and possible to do so
Remember that fly-tippers are doing something illegal. Be very careful - they are unlikely to welcome people observing them or taking notes or photographs. Incidents of fly-tipping can be quickly and easily reported to the council using the details below.
Vehicles and Fly Tipping
Reports of vehicles used for fly-tipping are investigated by our Environmental Crime Team. We aim to trace and prosecute the registered owner of all vehicles involved in this act. The police and officers from our Environmental Crime Team have the power to seize, impound and crush any vehicle used for fly tipping. Both the driver and the owner of the vehicle can be prosecuted for the offence.
If your vehicle has been seized and you wish to claim it back, you will need to provide documentation as listed in the seizure notice you will have received
More on fly tipping vehicles and seizures »
Clearing Fly Tipping
We aim to resolve reported issues within two working days of it being passed to Waste Services. In some instances, it may take longer to resolve, for example if it is on private land or specific access to public or council owned land is required.
We will only clear up fly tips on public or council owned land. If you require any information relating to the clearance of fly tipped waste please call 01304 821199.
Clearing fly tipping from private land is the responsibility of the landowner. If you are responsible for land or are a private landowner, we suggest you ensure that your land is as secure as is practically possible.
If you allow someone to deposit waste on your land then you could also be committing offences and we will investigate and take enforcement action where required.
Prosecutions and legal action
Fly tipping is the deposit of waste on land where there is no licence or permit to allow the waste to be deposited. Fly tipping carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment.
We will look to publicise the names of those convicted of fly tipping through the local press.
Abandoned shopping trolleys
We cannot collect abandoned shopping trolleys as fly tips as they are the property of the retailer. If you need to report an abandoned shopping trolley, please contact the retailer directly, or report to Trolleywise by:
Householders
It is an offence for householders to transfer waste to individuals or companies who are not authorised to collect or transport waste.
As a householder you have a duty of care to make sure that you only transfer waste to someone who is authorised by the Environment Agency to collect or transport waste.
To collect waste from another person an individual or company must hold an upper tier waste carriers licence from the Environment Agency.
Check your waste carrier has a licence
Businesses
All businesses have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe and arrange for its legal disposal.
If you dispose of your waste illegally or you are unable to show how you legally dispose of your business waste you will be investigated and you risk an unlimited fine. If you fly tip your waste you could also face up to five years imprisonment.
Business waste and recycling »