Fly-Tipping
What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping means dumping rubbish where it doesn’t belong — like on pavements, roads, or someone else’s land. It’s against the law and can be dangerous.
What else counts as fly-tipping?
Leaving things beside;
- street bins,
- recycling banks,
- closed recycling centres, and
- charity shops
…is also fly-tipping.
Who clears it?
- The council clears rubbish from land it owns, usually within 7 working days.
- If rubbish is dumped on private land, the landowner must clear it.
- If it’s blocking a road, call Hertfordshire Highways: 0300 1234 047.
- If it’s dangerous (like chemicals or pollution), call the Environment Agency: 0800 807 060.
What happens if you fly-tip?
Fly-tipping is a serious crime:
- You could be fined up to £50,000
- You could go to prison for up to 5 years
- If it’s very serious, the fine can be unlimited
Even if you let someone else take your rubbish and they’re not licensed, you can still get in trouble.
What about businesses?
Businesses must:
- Use a registered waste carrier or register to carry their own waste
- Keep waste paperwork for at least two years.
Further information
For more information about how we tackle fly tipping across Hertfordshire please visit Let's SCRAP Fly Tipping on the Hertfordshire County Council website.
