Want to know how to report fly-tipping when you see it? We all know fly-tipping is against the law. Yet many people are unsure what to do when they come across it. This short guide explains how to report it safely and what information helps the authorities most.
Who to report fly-tipping to
You can report fly-tipping to your local council, which will investigate. The quickest route is the GOV.UK report fly-tipping service. It takes your postcode and passes the report to the right council.
Eyewitnesses matter a great deal if action is going to be taken. So report anything you see as soon as possible.
Stay safe first
Never put yourself in danger. For example, do not approach anyone who is dumping waste. Fly-tippers are often organised criminals involved in other crimes too. As a result, they are unlikely to react well if challenged.
If you can watch safely from a distance, gather as much detail as you can. The more information you provide, the better the chance of a successful investigation.
What information helps when you report fly-tipping
The authorities find these details most useful:
The time and date of the incident.
The exact location.
A description of the people dumping the waste.
A description of any vehicles, including registration numbers.
A description of the waste that was dumped.
Photographs are very helpful, but only if you can take them safely. Councils treat any information you supply in confidence, in line with data protection law.
Keep any notes you make, even if they are scribbles on the back of an envelope. In fact, notes taken at the time can be very valuable evidence.
Do not search the waste yourself
Never go through dumped waste looking for evidence. It may hide hazardous items such as sharp objects, chemicals or asbestos. Instead, leave it to council staff, who will examine it fully as part of their investigation.
Make sure your own waste is handled legally
Fly-tipping often starts with someone paying an unlicensed carrier to take their rubbish away. If that waste is dumped, the original owner can be fined. So always use a fully licensed waste carrier and keep your receipt.
Our guide on how to avoid unknowingly fuelling waste crime explains the warning signs. Our page on environmental and recycling work shows where our loads go.
Hire a skip from a licensed carrier
Do not risk a fine. Martlands Skip Hire is a fully licensed waste carrier, and every load goes to our own recycling centre. To hire a skip, call your nearest depot:
Burscough Skip Hire 01704 779345
Bamber Bridge Skip Hire 01772 364 399
Chorley Skip Hire 01257 752399
Leyland Skip Hire 01772 364399
Maghull Skip Hire 0151 909 6399
Now you know how to report fly-tipping, you can help keep your area clean and safe.
