Fly-Tipping: Clean up that mess!

So, what is fly-tipping?

Fly-tipping is when people illegally dump rubbish, usually in the middle of the night, because everyone knows it is wrong. The main official difference between fly-tipping and littering is that most people fly-tip to avoid paying for a skip or someone to come and get rid of their stuff properly and legally. 
 
Now, in England, councils can hand out fixed penalty notices ranging from £150 to £400 for those guilty of fly-tipping. And if it's really serious, it could end up in court where the fines are unlimited, and there's even a chance of a prison sentence of up to 5 years! The Environment Agency can also step in for the worst offenders, prosecuting them, seizing their vehicles, and making them cover the costs.  

Stumbled across fly-tipping whilst out litter picking?  

We’ve got your back! Here’s a few things you can do to get it sorted.  

• Use the ClearWaste app to report fly-tipping.
• Get on FixMyStreet it will find your location, show you on a map, let you snap a photo, describe the issue and report it to your local council. You can use it for anything from rubbish to fly-tipping and graffiti.
• If you’re finding it tricky to get an accurate location, you can use What3Words, to pinpoint any location. 

Remember, if you decide to hire a private waste company, make sure they're registered and legit. Visit the official register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers to check. Need more advice? The National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group can also help.