Questions about fly tipping

What is fly tipping?

Fly tipping is when waste is illegally dumped on roads or land which is not licensed for waste. Fly tipped waste generally consists of materials such as household waste, large domestic items such as fridges and furniture, garden refuse, commercial waste, such as building rubble and soil, asbestos waste and tyres.

What are the fines for fly tipping?

You can be fined up to £50,000 or sentenced to 12 months in prison if convicted in a magistrates' court. If you are convicted at crown court then fly tipping can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison. We can also ask the court to make an order to confiscate vehicles used in fly tip offences.

Why is fly tipping a problem?

Fly tipping is a problem because of the potential harm it may cause to our water supplies and the environment. It is also a risk to humans, wildlife and farm animals and spoils our enjoyment of the environment.

How can I help reduce fly tipping?

You can help reduce fly tipping by always using a registered waste disposal company and reporting any fly tipping in your area.

How can I report fly tipping?

If you spot a fly tip or you have some information relating to one, please call 01243 785166, use our 'report it' section on the home page of the district council website or sign up to our Against litter campaign and send us the details. These should include: the date, time and place of the occurrence; what the waste looks like and how much there is; a description of any vehicles involved (including the vehicles registration numbers) and a description of any persons involved in the offence.

As a householder am I responsible if a waste removal firm fly tips my rubbish?

By law, it is the householder who is responsible for making sure their waste is disposed of safely and legally. When fly tipping occurs, it is often carried out by illegal waste carriers who promise to take your waste away for a bargain fee but then dump it. If the waste is dumped illegally, the waste could be traced back to you rather the person who dumped it and you would be held responsible. If you are looking to start on a household project, consider what waste you may generate and how you will dispose of it once the job is done. Before hiring any individual or company take down the individual or company details and check with the Environment Agency that they are a registered waste carrier.

As a council, we offer a Bulky Household Waste service. We can help you declutter by getting rid of household items that are too big to move and dispose of, such as sofas, beds, mattresses, fridges and cookers, and we make sure that as much of the material is recycled as possible.

What other ways are there of disposing of my household rubbish?

You can take your large waste to your local household waste and recycling centre. It is worth noting that charges to dispose of DIY materials at local amenity sites have been suspended in West Sussex. You can find out more about this on West Sussex County Council's website. Another option is to use our bulky household waste service, which can be booked online. However, if you intend to use a commercial waste service, it is really important that you check that they are licensed. Waste carriers are registered by the Environment Agency and listed on its website. You can also check by calling 03708 506 506.

We also offer a Bulky Household Waste service

How can I dispose of my business waste?

There is a West Sussex County Council commercial waste service based at Westhampnett, PO18 0NS. However construction and demolition waste cannot be accepted at this site. For details of how to dispose of your business waste and how much it costs please contact West Sussex County Council 01243 777100, or visit their website.

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