Fly tipping is on the rise across the UK and within Spelthorne District.

Both householders and businesses can be held legally responsible if their waste is dumped illegally, even when someone else tips it.

What is fly tipping?

Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land or in water where there is no permit to accept it, from a single black bag to a whole lorry load. It is usually done to avoid legitimate disposal costs and creates eyesores, attracts vermin, and can pollute land and waterways.

The scale of the problem

In 2024/25, councils in England dealt with around 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents, a 9% increase on the previous year and the highest level since current records began. Almost two‑thirds of these cases (around 777,000 incidents) involved household waste such as furniture, DIY rubble, black bags and items from house clearances.

On average, there were 21 fly-tipping incidents for every 1,000 people in England, although some urban areas experience far higher rates. Larger “tippers” are less common but extremely costly: in 2024/25, about 52,000 incidents were tipper‑lorry size or bigger, costing local authorities an estimated £19.3 million to clear. These figures do not include most incidents on private land, so the true scale and cost of illegal dumping are even greater.

Why you must check a waste carrier’s licence

Anyone who transports waste as part of their business must hold a valid waste carrier’s licence issued by the Environment Agency. Using a licensed carrier greatly reduces the risk that your rubbish will be fly tipped and helps support reputable operators who invest in compliant disposal.

If you pass your waste to an unlicensed “man with a van”, there is no guarantee where it will end up and you can still be held liable if it is found dumped. Operators who will not show a licence or provide a waste transfer note are a major source of waste crime and organised fly tipping.

The legal duty of care and potential fines

Under the Waste Duty of Care and the Environmental Protection Act 1990, householders and businesses must take all reasonable steps to ensure their waste is handled and disposed of correctly. If your waste is traced back to you after being fly tipped, you can face fixed penalty notices, prosecution, and even a criminal record.

On-the-spot fines for fly tipping and related duty-of-care breaches typically range from around £150 up to £1,000 depending on the council. For more serious cases, courts can impose unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment, and vehicles involved in waste crime can be seized.

Simple checks before you hand waste over

You don’t need to be an expert to protect yourself; a few basic checks go a long way.

• Ask to see their waste carrier’s licence number and photo ID, and take a photo or copy for your records.

• Verify the licence on the public Environment Agency register by searching the business name or number.

• Always get a written receipt or waste transfer note showing the business details, vehicle registration, date, and where the waste will be taken.

• Be wary of cash-only deals, very cheap quotes, doorstep callers, and informal adverts on social media.

Taking and keeping these details for at least two years helps you demonstrate that you took “reasonable steps” if the council ever investigates.

Why this matters for communities and businesses

Fly tipping costs councils and landowners millions of pounds a year to clear, money that could otherwise support local services. It also damages public trust and undercuts legitimate waste businesses who pay for licences, safe disposal, and compliance.

By insisting on seeing a carrier’s licence and proper paperwork every time, residents and businesses can cut off work to rogue operators and reduce the amount of waste dumped in local streets, lanes, and countryside. Next time you book a collection, will you ask to see the waste carrier’s licence before they load a single bag?