Why is fly tipping on the increase?


 Why is fly tipping on the increase?

Fly-tipping is rising for a messy mix of money, convenience, weak deterrence, and organised waste crime — and the latest England figures show it’s not a small uptick.

What the latest numbers suggest (England)

Local authorities dealt with around 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents in 2024/25, up about 9% on 2023/24, with highways (roads/pavements) the most common location and “small van load” a very common size category.

So: a lot of it is day-to-day household waste and small-scale dumping, not just “industrial villains in hi-vis”.

Why it’s increasing

1) It’s often a “fee-avoidance” crime

Disposing of waste properly can cost time, effort, and (sometimes) money — so fly-tipping becomes the illegal shortcut. Defra explicitly notes that fly-tipping is often driven by avoiding disposal costs.

2) “Man with a van” scams (rogue waste carriers)

A big driver is people paying a cheap, unlicensed collector who then dumps it. Residents think they’ve done the right thing; the waste ends up on a verge at midnight. Government and enforcement bodies increasingly describe fly-tipping as part of broader waste crime, including illegal operators and unauthorised sites.

3) Hard-to-use (or confusing) legitimate disposal systems

Rules and access vary wildly by council (especially around DIY waste, plasterboard, rubble, etc.), and that confusion can nudge people towards “just get rid of it somehow”.
Worth noting: one WRAP-linked analysis often cited in the sector found no statistically significant association between charging for DIY waste at HWRCs and increased fly-tipping — meaning the story isn’t as simple as “charges = more dumping”.

4) Enforcement is patchy, and the odds of serious consequences can look low

Even with big headline numbers, only a tiny fraction ends up in court action (as multiple recent reports have highlighted), which weakens deterrence.
Government is now publicly pushing councils to use tougher options like vehicle seizure/crushing and more tech-enabled enforcement.

5) It’s not just antisocial behaviour — it’s increasingly organised

Recent reporting and prosecutions point to large-scale illegal dumping and unauthorised sites, sometimes with significant criminal profits.

What actually helps (practical + policy)

  • Make “doing the right thing” easier: clear rules, consistent HWRC acceptance, easy booking, reliable bulky-waste collection.

  • Hit the supply chain: tighter controls on waste carriers/brokers, faster action against illegal sites.

  • Raise the perceived risk: targeted CCTV/ANPR, rapid investigations, and visible consequences (vehicle seizure, cost recovery).

  • Public awareness: “If you pay someone to take it away, check they’re licensed — you can still be liable.”

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