‘War on waste’ as fly-tipping cases soar in countryside

• More incidents but fewer fines issed

• Criminal gangs leave toxic rubbish tips

• More must be done, say landowners

Fewer people are being fined for fly-tipping – despite an increase in rubbish being illegally dumped in the countryside.

Latest figures show 1.15 million incidents on public land in England in 2023/24, 6% up on the previous year. But the number of court fines and fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping have both decreased.

New statistics highlight nearly 87,000 incidents of fly-tipping in the East of England and 96,000 in the East Midlands. It includes commercial waste dumped by criminal gangs as well as household rubbish.

Farmers endangered

The figures exclude waste dumped on private land, so the true volume of incidents is far higher than the numbers suggest, said the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Tonnes of household and commercial waste is dumped on public and private land in rural areas on a regular basis, including hazardous chemicals and asbestos. This endangers farmers, wildlife, livestock and the environment.

The CLA has challenged the government to launch its rural crime strategy, which it promised before the election, but is yet to publish..

Financial impact

Nearly 95% of respondents to a CLA survey believe local authorities need better resources to help fight the war on waste. Almost 40% had suffered at least six fly-tipping incidents in the past year, with 75% reporting a significant financial impact.

The CLA  has challenged the government to launch its promised rural crime strategy – but is yet to publish. Meanwhile, landowners risk being prosecuted unless they clear the waste dumped on their land, at personal cost.

CLA regional director Cath Crowther said: “Fly-tipping remains a scourge on the landscape for those who live and work in the countryside and it is a serious concern that incidents of fly-tipping are still increasing.

“At the same time, we are seeing the number of court fines for fly-tipping and fixed penalty notices decreasing in England. All too often we see piles of waste dumped in farmers’ fields and in gateways, posing a risk to people and wildlife.

“This is not a victimless crime. Farmers and landowners face having to clear waste dumped on their land at personal expense or face the risk of prosecution. Some are having to clear rubbish on a weekly basis and the costs of removing it can soon spiral.

“It is unjust for local authorities to threaten action against private landowners as it criminalises the victims of waste crime.”

The CLA wants the various
enforcement agencies to be properly trained and resourced to tackle the crime. It is also important for those caught in the act to face tougher punishments to ensure there is an effective deterrent.

Householders whose waste is fly-tipped can also be prosecuted – and disposal companies should have a waste carriers licence. Otherwise, their fly-tipping could be your responsibility.