Fly-tipping and keeping streets clean

We take fly tipping very seriously. If you see someone dumping rubbish on public land, or if you see rubbish, please report it to us.

We will:

• aim to clear it within 24 hours of when you reported it (hazardous waste clearance may take longer)
• investigate who left it, with a view to taking action against them

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. This includes items such as:

• black rubbish sacks left on the street on non-collection days
• mattresses
• tyres
• sofas
• 'white goods' (such as fridges and washing machines)
• carpet
• commercial waste such as builder's waste

We can issue fly-tippers with a fixed penalty notice of £400.

Alternatively, we can prosecute. If convicted, the person can be issued with unlimited fines and a custodial sentence of up to 3 years.

If you've got too much rubbish for your bin, or if your rubbish is too big, there are lots of places where you can get rid of it for free.

• households can have large items of waste collected for free
• you can drop it in a local waste and recycling centre
• arrange a hazardous waste collection for asbestos

If the rubbish is on private land, it's the responsibility of the owner or occupier to have it cleared.

If they don't do this, then we can serve them with a legal notice to ensure it happens.