Let's SCRAP fly-tipping

The West Sussex Waste Partnership

The West Sussex Waste Partnership (formed of the County Council, Biffa, as the waste contractor, and all the district and borough councils in West Sussex) has partnered with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sussex Police, The Environment Agency and others, in order to highlight and reduce the problems that fly-tipping causes. The partners are also helping residents and businesses to avoid unknowingly contributing to fly-tipping within West Sussex.

One example of how the partners are working together is through joint operations across various locations in West Sussex. With the intention to both deter and disrupt fly tippers and avoid other waste crimes, officers from a range of partners have been stopping vehicles that may be carrying waste, checking compliance and interviewing drivers. Various vehicles have been seized, and drivers fined, for a range of offences.

What is fly-tipping?

Fly-tipping is the deliberate illegal dumping of waste on land or in water.

Illegally dumped waste can cause problems to local councils, individuals and the environment. It is never okay and can leave you with a criminal record or you could face a £400 fixed penalty notice/unlimited fine.

Fly-tipping occurs:

  • on the roadside
  • outside closed charity shops
  • outside closed recycling centres
  • on the beach
  • in the park
  • on the street
  • at communal bin stores
  • on private land.

Advice for businesses

Every business in the UK that produces waste has a legal duty of care to manage it properly until it is recycled or disposed of. This means that businesses must always use a registered waste carrier to carry their waste as well as keeping the correct paperwork for at least two years.

If you are a business that transports, buys, or sells waste of any kind, you must have a valid waste carriers license. These can be obtained online through the GOV.UK website.

Businesses that do not comply face the risk of an unlimited fine.

What can be done instead

  • Help put a stop to fly-tipping by checking any waste carriers have a valid license and are registered on the Waste Carrier’s Register.
  • If you’re having a clear out, make use of your local authorities bulky household waste collection service:
  • Take your waste and recycling to your local Recycling Centre
  • Donate good condition items to a local charity shop
  • Manage your waste - visit our waste prevention web page for advice on how to reduce your waste
  • Check out our recycling A-Z to find more information on how to dispose of items.
  • SCRAP:
    • Suspect all waste carriers - don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration and note their vehicle's registration plate.
    • Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.
    • Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
    • Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this.
    • Paperwork must be obtained - a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.

Let’s SCRAP fly-tipping

Report fly-tipping