Flytipping/Illegal dumping

Flytipping/Illegal dumping 

Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It can vary in scale, from a single bag of rubbish to a lorry load or more.

Fly tipped waste may be found anywhere, such as on footpaths, roadsides, in lay-bys or on private land.

Fly tipping poses a threat to humans and wildlife and damages our environment. It also undermines legitimate waste businesses.

See Also:

• The Environmental Crime Team and reporting incidents

• Useful Information

• You and Your Waste

• Current and Future Powers

• Flytipping Statistics.

Environmental Crime Team

The Environmental crime Team will investigate incidents if there is a realistic prospect of identifiying the offender. In these cases, we can take enforcement action against the perpetrator.

If you see someone fly tipping in your area or fly tipped materials please report it.

Reporting incidents:

To report incidents of fly tipping you can telephone (0116 252 7001) or use the general enquiries online form.

Useful Information

If waste or rubbish is being dumped on a regular basis it would be useful to know the following:

• The type and nature of the rubbish being dumped e.g. bags, boxes, old household appliances or building rubble.
• Location of where items are being dumped.
• Times and frequency that this is occurring.
• Who is responsible for dumping the rubbish – name or address of the perpetrator.
• Description of the perpetrator if seen.
• Description of vehicle if seen being used in offence- colour, make, model and licence plate number. Any other distinguishing features such as proprietors logo.

If you witness rubbish being dumped try to record any information that may be useful as soon as possible. Do not touch dumped rubbish or disturb the site. Do not approach perpetrators, remember to look after your own safety.

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You and Your Waste

Fly tipping also occurs when householders put out too much waste for collection. Biffa, who collect the waste each week are only required to take your wheelybin, not any excess waste that is left beside it. If you leave waste outside your home then this is classed as fly tipping.

You can reduce the amount of waste you generate by recycling using the City Council boxes, or you can take waste to either of the city’s civic amenity sites (Community Recycling Centres) at Bridge Road or Islington Street.

If you have large items these can be collected by the City council who offer a free bulk collection Service for householders, taking up to 5 items per household every 2 months.

To book a collection, call the Service line on 252 7001.

As part of our ‘Your City Your Choice’ campaign the environmental crime team is reminding people that under The Environmental Protection Act 1990 section 33, people must ensure that any waste collected from their home is taken by a registered waste carrier. You could be liable to a fine of up to £5,000 for not doing so.

Household waste is the most common form of fly-tipped material and is often tipped by unregistered contractors. It is our policy to prosecute where there is evidence of tipping.

If you are employing somebody to remove waste from your home you can:

• Ask to see their waste carrier registration certificate
• Phone 08708 506 506 and ask for a waste carrier validation check
• Check online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Registered carriers also usually give a receipt known as a waste transfer note to the person from whom they receive waste.

If you are not satisfied that the person is a registered waste carrier, you should refuse to allow them to take your waste. Any information can be passed to the city council by calling 2527001.

The environmental crime team investigated 126 cases of fly tipping last year. An unmarked surveillance van with covert cameras is used to gather evidence for use in prosecutions.

Current and Future Powers

From April 2007 the City council will be able to seize vehicles used in fly tipping offences  under provisions given in the Cleaner Neighbourhood Act.

With these new powers and proposals to expand the Environmental Crime Service the City council is confident that we will see a reduction in reported incidences of fly tipping in the not too distant future.

Unitidy Private Land:

There are existing powers under the Town & Country Planning Acts to take action against untidy private land.

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Flytipping Statistics

• Fly tipping costs the City Council over £310,000 a year to investigate and clear up.

• From April 2007 – March 2008 7854 reported incidences of fly tipping were reported in Leicester.

• Tax payers nationally are paying £2.5m a month to clean up dumped rubbish.

Along with other local governments Leicester City Council records incidences of fly tipping on Fly capture a national Fly tipping database. Log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/apps/flycapture to look at the figures.