Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It's a crime that damages the environment, risks public health and costs taxpayers to clean up.
Fly-tipping includes:
- dumping waste on land where there is no waste management licence, including public highways
- giving your waste to someone else to fly-tip
- leaving rubbish or waste outside household waste recycling centres
Report fly-tipping
Report fly-tipping to your local council. If you see a fly-tipping crime in progress, stay safe and call the Police on 101.
Avoiding a fine
You must dispose of your waste correctly. Use a licensed waste carrier or take your waste to a registered site.
You could get a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £1,000 if your waste is fly-tipped and you cannot show that you tried to to prevent it.
If you are convicted at court, the maximum fine is unlimited. You could face up to five years in prison.
When using a waste carrier follow the S.C.R.A.P code
Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your rubbish until you have seen their waste carrier licence. View a sample waste carrier certificate. Make a note of their vehicle's registration plate.
Check that a waste carrier is registered. Use the the Environment Agency's waste carriers, brokers and dealers search to check your waste carrier's licence number.
Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of. A licensed waste carrier should be happy to explain how they dispose of it.
Paperwork is essential. Make sure you get an invoice, waste transfer note or receipt. It must include a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
Take your waste to a registered site
There are 26 household waste recycling centres in Hampshire. They are open 7 days a week except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Most waste is free to dispose of.
Find your nearest household waste recycling centre
Collection of bulky waste by local councils
Most councils will collect things like old sofas, fridges or washing machines for a fee.
Find out about your local council's bulky waste collection service
Advice for businesses
Your business is legally responsible for any waste you produce until it is recycled or disposed of properly. This is called your duty of care, and it includes any costs for storing and handling the waste. You must:
- reduce waste where you can by preventing it, reusing it, recycling it, or recovering it. Preventing waste is the best option. Get help with managing your waste
- make sure you sort and store waste safely and securely
- fill in a waste transfer note for every load of waste that leaves your site
- check that your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste
- make sure your waste is not disposed of illegally. Report any illegal waste disposal to Crimestoppers
If your business handles hazardous waste, you have extra responsibilities. You could be fined an unlimited amount if your waste is fly‑tipped and you cannot show that you tried to prevent it.
Fly-tipping strategy
We aim to reduce fly-tipping through more prosecutions, improved reporting, and education.
A strategy and action plan was approved in March 2017.