As Keep Britain Tidy’s Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight gets underway, we’re reminding residents that there is no excuse for fly-tipping, after more than 5,500 incidents were recorded across the city during 2025/26.

Household waste accounted for a significant proportion of incidents. There were 3,493 incidents involving other household waste, as well as 816 involving black bags of household waste and 542 involving white goods such as fridges and washing machines. Other waste dumped across the city included electrical items, commercial waste, construction waste, vehicle parts and tyres.

Fly-tipping is the unauthorised deposit of waste on land and is illegal under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A £600 Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued to people caught fly-tipping. Failure to pay can result in court proceedings, where those convicted could face a fine of up to £50,000 and up to six months in prison.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said:

Fly-tipping is completely unacceptable. It ruins our neighbourhoods and public spaces and creates unnecessary work which could be avoided if people disposed of their waste responsibly. More than 5,500 incidents in a single year demonstrates the scale of the problem.

We need everyone to play their part. Please dispose of your waste responsibly and report fly-tipping when you see it. We will continue to take action against those responsible where we have the evidence to do so.”

Residents who witness fly-tipping are encouraged to make a note of as much information as possible, including the vehicle registration, time and location, and a description of the waste and the people involved. Photographs can also help if they can be taken safely, but residents should not approach anyone they see fly-tipping.

We will remove fly-tipping from Council owned land, although it cannot remove waste dumped on private land. Problems with rubbish accumulating on private land can still be reported to the Council, where we may be able to take action where it is causing a nuisance or attracting vermin.

To learn more about how to dispose of waste correctly, including how to dispose of bulky or difficult items, visit our recycling and waste webpage.  Residents are encouraged to reuse or pass on working items, repair through our repair café networks or to recycle and dispose of as much of their waste as possible at Raynesway Household Waste and Recycling Centre, helping to make sure recyclable materials don’t go to waste.

Electrical retailers should have a take back scheme for e-waste. Enquire about their recycling service when buying new items and if you hire someone to remove your waste, ensure they have a current waste operators number which you can check against the Environment Agency’s register.

For bulky waste that can’t be taken to the recycling centre, or that you’re unable to transport yourself, keep an eye out for Community Waste Days coming to your neighbourhood. Accepted items include bagged household and garden waste, furniture, soft furnishings and small amounts of DIY waste such as carpet and wood offcuts. You can find out more about our bulky waste collection service by visiting out website.

Residents can learn more about fly-tipping, including what counts as fly-tipping and how to report it, on our website.