Dumped rubbish (Fly-tipping)

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish, like furniture or rubble, on public and private land.

We will clear dumped rubbish from​ public land.

This includes:

  • local roads and pavements
  • car parks
  • public footpaths
  • other council owned property

We will not clear dumped rubbish from:

  • private land
    If your report is on private land we will investigate the report and then ask the private land owner to arrange removal of the fly-tip.
  • motorway (M25)
    Fly tips on the M25 should be reported to the Highways Agency.

If you are reporting dumped rubbish that poses an immediate danger between 5pm and 9am on weekdays, or at weekends, please call our 'out of hours' emergency line - 01708 433999.

Where possible we prosecute those responsible for dumping the rubbish. If you know who is responsible please let us know.

Report dumped rubbish

Clearing sofas, armchairs and dining chairs

When collecting bulky waste or clearing fly-tipping, our crews collect domestic seating such as sofas, armchairs and dining chairs separately.

Please don’t be surprised if the crews appear to have left them because they will be coming back for them.

Seized vehicles and prosecutions

We may seize any vehicle, trailer or mobile plant and their contents if we think it is being, or will be used for crimes involving waste, such as fly-tipping.

If we decide to investigate or prosecute, we can keep your vehicle in storage for up to 15 working days if we need to investigate an offence.

We may keep it longer to continue an investigation or if we decide to prosecute.

If our investigation shows that your vehicle was used for a waste crime, we will always consider prosecuting you.

Your vehicle will be kept by us for the duration of the court process, however, if the court decides that you have committed a waste crime, they may take away your vehicle permanently.

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