Fly tipping

Leaving items beside street bins, recycling banks and outside closed Recycling Centres and charity shops is all fly tipping.

The Environmental Protection Department has responsibility for removing fly tips from Council land. If it is relatively small it will be removed within 24 hours, however if it is a large load this may lengthen the time needed for removal to up to 7 days (although every endeavour is made to remove it more quickly). If the fly tip is blocking the highways and causing an obstruction, it is the responsibility of Hertfordshire County Council's Highways department to make the road safe within 24 hours. They can be contacted on 0300 1234 047.

Waste deposited on private land should be cleared by the land owner: lnformation for Landowners (pdf)

How you can prevent fly tipping?

Everyone has a legal 'duty of care' to ensure your household or business waste is disposed of correctly.

You can be prosecuted even if your waste is fly tipped by someone else on your behalf.

If it's YOUR waste, it's YOUR responsibility.

Always use a registered waste carrier to collect your rubbish. Follow the S.C.R.A.P code.

Let’s S.C.R.A.P Fly Tipping

Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration. Note their vehicle's registration plate.

Check that a waste carrier is registered with the Environment Agency.

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.

The Council offers a bulky waste collection service and a kerbside collection of recycling, food, garden waste and refuse.

Report Fly Tipping

Fly Tipping is an illegal activity. If you see it in action call the Police on 999 and report it as a crime in progress. ALL fly tipping should be reported to the Council ; recording as many details as possible;

Vehicle registration number and details
Description of people involved
Exact location
Date and time you discovered the rubbish
Details of the items dumped
Photos if possible

Never put yourself at risk when reporting a fly tip.

More information about fly tipping (pdf)

The Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group

is a multi-agency taskforce including the Boroughs, Districts and County Council as well as the Police, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Herts Fire & Rescue, the Environment Agency, the National Farmers Union and Keep Britain Tidy which has come together to improve how Hertfordshire responds to fly tipping.

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/flytipping