How to Report Fly Tipping in the UK
Fly tipping is illegal and your local council is responsible for investigating it on public land. This guide walks you through the exact GOV.UK process — and what to do if you need it removed faster.
What is fly tipping?
Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that is not licensed to receive it — roadsides, alleyways, fields, car parks, or private land. It is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Anyone caught fly tipping can face an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to 12 months, and seizure of their vehicle. Councils and the Environment Agency both have powers to investigate and prosecute.
How to report fly tipping (step-by-step)
This is the official GOV.UK process. Following it exactly gives your report the best chance of being investigated quickly.
Find your local council
Go to GOV.UK and use the postcode tool to find your local council. Fly tipping on public land is handled by the council for that area — not a national body.
Find your council on GOV.UK →Submit your report online
Most councils have an online reporting form. Some also accept reports by phone. Online is faster and creates a reference number you can track.
Provide the exact location
Be as specific as possible — street name, nearest landmark, what3words address if you have it. Vague locations slow down the investigation.
Describe the type of waste
Note what has been dumped: household rubbish, construction waste, tyres, mattresses, chemicals, etc. Hazardous waste (asbestos, chemicals) is treated as a priority.
Provide the date (if known)
If you know when the dumping happened, include it. Fresh reports are more likely to lead to prosecution — CCTV and tyre tracks degrade quickly.
Attach photos
Photos are the single most useful piece of evidence. Include wide shots showing the location and close-ups of the waste. If you saw a vehicle, photograph the number plate.
Wait for the council to investigate
The council will log your report and assign it for investigation. They aim to remove waste from public land within a set timeframe — but this can take days or weeks depending on the council and the volume of reports.
What happens after you report fly tipping?
Once your report is submitted, here is what typically happens:
Council investigates
The council logs the report and sends an officer to assess the waste. They look for evidence of who dumped it — labels, letters, CCTV footage.
Waste may be removed
If the waste is on public land, the council will arrange removal. Timescales vary — from 24 hours for hazardous waste to several weeks for general rubbish.
Prosecution (rare but possible)
If the council identifies the offender, they can issue a fixed penalty notice (£400–£1,000) or prosecute in court, where fines are unlimited.
Can you get fined for fly tipping?
Yes — fly tipping carries serious penalties in England and Wales. The severity depends on the amount of waste and whether the case goes to court.
Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)
Issued by the council on the spot. Must be paid within 14 days to avoid prosecution.
Magistrates' Court fine
For more serious cases. Can also result in up to 12 months in prison.
Crown Court fine
For the most serious cases involving large volumes of waste or hazardous materials.
Vehicle seizure
Councils and the Environment Agency can seize and crush vehicles used for fly tipping.
Important: If waste is dumped on your land by someone else, you are still responsible for its removal. You will not be fined for the dumping itself, but you must clear it using a licensed waste carrier. Read our guide on fly tipping on private land →
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