The dumping of waste on public highways or on private land is classified as fly tipping and is an illegal activity. If you witness waste being dumped, please report this to the police on 999 as a crime in progress.
Alternatively, if you have just discovered it, please report this to us.
Never put yourself at risk.
When reporting fly tipping please record as many details as possible including:
- Vehicle registration number and car/van make and model
- Description of individual(s) involved (if known)
- The exact location of where the incident has occurred
- The direction in which they were travelling (if known)
- The date and time you witnessed this
- Description of the item(s) dumped
- Photographs of dumped items (if possible)
Household responsibilities
Everyone has a legal ‘duty of care’ to ensure their household waste is disposed of correctly. As a householder you can be prosecuted for failing to do so, even if your waste is fly tipped by someone else who has collected items from your address.
What should I do?
- Suspect all waste carriers
- Before arranging a collection, you can check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website or by telephoning 08708 506506
- Ask to see a copy of the Waste Carrier’s Licence. Don’t let a Waste Carrier take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration
- Make a note of their vehicle registration number
- Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away
- Enquire as to how your rubbish will be disposed of and ask for evidence to support this
- Obtain paperwork e.g., an invoice, waste transfer note or a receipt with a description of the waste being removed and the waste carriers name, address and contact details
Please be mindful that if your waste is collected and the waste carrier illegally dumps this you could be fined up to £5,000.
The Council offer a household bulky waste collection service.
Alternatively, household items can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, Saltcotes Road, Lytham. For further details on this site can be found on Lytham – Lancashire County Council.
Business responsibilities
All businesses that produce waste as part of their business activity in the UK have a legal ‘duty of care’ to ensure their commercial waste is disposed of correctly. As a business you can be prosecuted for failing to do so, even if your waste is fly tipped by someone else who has collected items from your premises.
Business rates do not cover the removal of waste from business premises. There are many legitimate private companies operating in the Fylde area, please contact them to discuss your requirements as each will be able to offer a different package that best meets your needs. Alternatively, the Council offers a trade waste service to local businesses.
For a simple guide regarding your duty of care responsibilities please visit the Right Waste Right Place website.
What should I do?
- Manage waste properly, ensuring it stored securely in containers until it is disposed of
- Always use a registered waste carrier. You can check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website or by telephoning 08708 506506.
- Alternatively, you can register to dispose of your business waste via the Environmental Agency to manage your own waste disposal.
- Waste transfer notes evidencing how your business waste has been collected and disposed of should be kept for a minimum of 2 years and must be produced to enforcement officers upon request.
Failure to comply with commercial waste legislation can lead to local authority enforcement officers serving a section 34 or 47 notice which if ignored, could lead to prosecution in a magistrate’s court.
Landowner responsibilities
Landowners must ensure that their land is as secure as possible to prevent fly tipping. Penalties for fly tipping apply if you allow someone to dump waste on your land.
What should I do?
- Make physical improvements such as the installation of gates and barriers and improved visibility
- Installing signage, CCTV and setting up regular security patrols can act as a deterrent to fly tippers
- Ensure you have a site management plan in place to keep areas tidy and organise removal of fly tipping as quickly as possible
- Work alongside the local community including neighbours, local businesses, and existing partnerships to tackle any problems
