Fly-tipping

Dumping items, whether a single bag or a truck load of rubbish, is a criminal offence. It is punishable by an unlimited fine or imprisonment.

Not only is it harmful to people's health and the environment, but it's costly to clear up.

It's illegal fly-tipping if you leave items and bags:

• beside street bins
• beside recycling banks
• on the ground of communal bin areas
• outside closed Recycling Centres and charity shops.

If the bins and banks are full, or the shop is closed, please take your items with you.

Litter is typically rubbish that has been left behind after being used - find out more on our litter page.

Report fly-tipping

If it's happening right now

Call the police immediately on 999 and report it as a crime in progress. Do not approach the person dumping the rubbish. Take note of as many details as possible, as outlined below.

If it's blocking the road

Report it to Herts County Council or call 0300 123 4047.

If it's causing a pollution risk to a river or canal

Call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

Reporting fly-tipping to us

Please report all fly-tipping to us, regardless of whether you saw it in progress or have just discovered it. Fill out our online form:

Report fly-tipping

What to report

If you see someone fly-tipping, or discover fly-tipped waste, note down as many details as possible, such as:

• date and time
• location
• type of waste and how much there is
• description of the person/people dumping the waste
• details of the fly-tipper’s vehicle
• whether the fly-tipping has caused any damage
• include photos of the waste and fly-tippers (if possible and safe to do so). But never put yourself at risk when reporting fly-tipping.

How we deal with fly-tipping

We aim to visit every reported incident of fly-tipping. We will look to see if there is evidence of where the rubbish came from and who was responsible for dumping it.

Following any investigation we aim to remove all items on Council-managed land within seven working days. This may not always possible due to the nature, location or size of the incident and the equipment required to remove it.

We will issue Fixed Penalty Notices where possible, or collect evidence for a larger prosecution if necessary.

Let's SCRAP fly-tipping 

We're working as part of the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group to ask all residents to SCRAP fly-tipping.

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 is fly-tipped by someone else. Avoid a fine by following the SCRAP code:

• Suspect all waste carriers. Do not let them take your waste until they can prove they are legitimate. A professional waste carrier should be happy to answer reasonable questions.
• Check their waste carrier’s registration details on the Environment Agency website. Note down the registration number of the vehicle used to take your waste away.
• Refuse unexpected offers to take your rubbish away. Report anyone you suspect of disposing of waste illegally to the Environment Agency. Give them the vehicle registration and name of the person. .
• Ask what is going to happen to your rubbish. Seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.
• Paperwork. Make sure you get a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt for your waste removal. This should give a description of the waste and provide the waste carrier’s contact details.

Disposing of unwanted items

Sell or donate functioning items to a charity shop or through online marketplaces or social media community groups.

You can also dispose of your waste:

• using your bins
• at a neighbourhood recycling site or Recycling Centre
• through our bulky items collection service.

Business waste

Every business that produces waste in the UK has a legal duty of care to:

• manage it properly until it's recycled or disposed of
• always use a registered waste carrier or register to carry your own waste
• keep the correct paperwork for at least two years.

Find out about our commercial waste collection and recycling service.

Get help complying with the law

• Government advice on disposing of business or commercial waste
• Right Waste, Right Place
• National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group

More information

For more detailed information, please visit the WasteAware website.