Where's the fly-tip?
Illegal dumping of waste on public or private land or in water is a growing concern.
Everyone has a legal duty to dispose of their waste correctly. It is a criminal offence to dump waste without authorisation.
Combatting fly-tippers
It is our role to deal with fly-tipping, catch those responsible and hold them to account.
To do this, we need to know:
Where's the fly-tip - to the best of your ability, describe where the fly-tip has occurred. You can do this by using What3Words, another location sharing tool or by using street names or landmarks to help guide us.
What's the fly-tip - send or upload a photo showing us, or briefly describe to us what has been fly-tipped.
Who's the fly-tipper - let us know if you saw it happening, or if there could be clues as to who may have dumped it.
We will investigate incidents of fly-tipping and take enforcement action, where possible, and remove waste the has been fly-tipped or littered on the public highway or land we own.
We cannot remove waste that has been dumped on private land; this is the responsibility of the landowner.
Report a fly-tipFrequently asked questions
Littering is the act of dropping small amounts of waste on land or water that is accessible to the public, even if the land is privately owned.
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on public or private land/water, ranging from garden and household rubbish to large domestic items and construction or decorating projects.
It harms the environment and wildlife, poses risks to public health, damages watercourses and farmland, attracts vermin, blights local areas, and is expensive to clean up – sometimes running into thousands of pounds annually.
A council officer will investigate, gather evidence (e.g. photo or items), clear the waste if it is on public land, and will take enforcement or preventative measures.
The Council removes waste from public land. Private landowners are responsible for the removal of the waste from their own land, but the Council may investigate if evidence exists to help the landowner recover their costs.
Yes, it is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. People who fly-tip can face fixed penalties of up to £1,000 for smaller offences; heavy fines (up to £50,000 in Magistrates’ Court and unlimited in Crown Court); and imprisonment for up to 5 years.
Always use a licensed waste carrier or the councils bulky waste collection service.
Yes, hazardous waste (like asbestos or chemicals) requires specialist handling. Large or dangerous fly-tips must be reported to the Environment Agency or Health & Safety Executive, and councils may liaise with partners for safe removal.
You can take most household waste to one of Norfolk County Council household recycling centres.
Some private individuals or companies also offer waste collection or disposal services. As the householder, it is your responsibility to ensure your waste is not fly-tipped. Here is how:
- Ask to see their Waste Carriers Licence issued by the Environment Agency. If they cannot supply this, do not use them. To check a licence, you can call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
- Ask where they will be taking your waste to dispose of it.
- Keep a record of any paperwork they give you, including their name, address, and waste carrier licence number.
Yes, by law you are responsible for any waste removed on your behalf, so if you pay or allow someone to take away your waste and it is fly-tipped, you are responsible.
If you breach the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005, you could face a fine of up to £5,000.