Landowners: what to do about fly-tipped waste on your land

How to deal with fly-tipped waste on your land - such as your garden, driveway, private road or field - and deter fly-tippers. 

Fly-tipped waste on your land

You are responsible for paying to remove and dispose of any fly-tipped waste on your land.

You should record it, report it, then remove it.

Record details of the waste

Some fly-tipped waste can be hazardous so be careful. Piles of soil may be contaminated or hide dangerous material. Do not open bags or drums. 

Take a photograph or video of the fly-tipped waste.

Ask your neighbours if they saw anyone or anything suspicious.

Report it 

You must report the fly-tipped waste before you start to remove it.

Make a note of:

• date and time you found the waste
• location, such as a grid reference or what3words location
• a description and quantity of the waste, for example bags, drums, fridge, tyres, building waste

Report it to your local authority. They may search for evidence of who owns it. (If it's large-scale dumping - over 18 tonnes - you should report it to us.)

Remove the waste

You can remove the waste from your land yourself, if it is safe to do so. Take it to a site that is allowed to accept it - check with them before you go.

If you arrange for someone else to take away the waste, check they have a waste carrier licence.

Keep a note of your costs

Keep a record of what it costs you to clear and dispose of the waste. If the people who fly-tipped it are prosecuted, you may be able to recover your costs.

Protect your land from fly-tipping

Restrict access to your land by installing gates or physical barriers including:

• earth bunds
• tree trunks
• boulders

Make sure not to permanently block a public right of way. 

Keep gates closed and, if possible, locked when you're not using them.

Improve visibility of your land so that fly-tippers are not hidden from view. 

Consider:

• installing or improve lighting
• putting up signs
• installing security cameras

Clear any fly-tipped waste as soon as the authorities have searched for evidence. This removes any encouragement for others to add to it. 

Report someone you see fly-tipping

Remember that fly-tippers are acting illegally so we do not recommend that you confront them.

If you witness fly-tipping in progress do not put yourself at risk by attempting to intervene. Call 101 and report it to the police immediately from a safe location. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, anonymously.