FLY TIPPING

16th February 2020

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of items

whether it is a single bag or a vehicle load of rubbish – it also includes dumping your garden waste ( such as grass clippings, branches from pruning a hedge – etc )

It is a criminal offence and punishable by an unlimited fine or imprisonment.
Not only is it an eyesore, it is harmful to people’s health and the environment.
It is also expensive to clear up.

The costs of dealing with fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire have risen for the last few years (mirrored nationally) and Bucks authorities have spent the following cleaning up fly-tipping from public land:

2015-16 £493,400
2016-17 £559,000
2017-18 £610,000

A consistent policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ against fly-tipping has applied in Buckinghamshire for over ten years and robust enforcement is pursued – based on prosecuting cases at court.

Between 2015-2018, 182 fly-tipping cases have been prosecuted – resulting in total fines and costs imposed at court of £315,000.

SCRAP fly tipping

How we can S.C.R.A.P. fly tipping in Bucks?

We all have a legal obligation, or duty of care, to ensure our household or business waste is disposed of correctly.

The best way to stop organised fly tipping is to make sure that only authorised waste carriers take your waste away.

You could face prosecution and an unlimited fine if your waste ends up fly tipped by someone else.

If it’s your waste, it’s your responsibility.

Avoid a fine. Put items in a bin, not by the side.

Don’t leave items out for the ‘scrap man.

And always follow the S.C.R.A.P. code if you are having household waste removed.

S – Suspect all waste carriers; do not let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.

C – Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website.

R – Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away. If you suspect that someone who you have spoken to will be disposing of waste illegally, report them to the Environment Agency.

A – Ask what will happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.

P – Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.