Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. We treat fly-tipping very seriously and will look to prosecute anyone caught fly-tipping waste. Fly-tipping carries a fine of up to £95,000 (unlimited if taken through the Crown Court) or an offender can be sent to prison or have their vehicle seized.

We will issue a £200 fixed penalty notice to anyone who we suspect may have fly-tipped.

What is fly-tipping?

The definition of fly-tipping is anything more than a bin bag size of waste, for example a mattress or three blue bags of household rubbish.

For items less than a bin bag in size this will be dealt with as litter.

What to do if you see fly-tipped waste

Report fly-tipping straight away to the Council using the form below.

How to report fly-tipping

Complete the fly-tipping report fly-tipping form or telephone 01768 817817 or email pollution@eden.gov.uk

What to do if you see someone fly-tipping

Any information you can obtain about who has fly-tipped the waste would be very helpful to our Community Wardens. Information such as:

• vehicle registration
• brief description of the vehicle/s seen fly-tipping
• brief description of the person/people seen fly-tipping
• photographic evidence if possible of the above

NEVER touch the waste: fly-tipped waste can be dangerous - it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances.

NEVER disturb the site - we need to gather the evidence ourselves to help identify the fly-tippers and lead to their prosecution

NEVER approach anyone you see fly tipping - they could become violent. If you witness it happening call the police on 101.

Remember - Don't Put Yourself At Risk!

Private land and fly-tipping

You are responsible for securing your land. Eden District Council will not remove waste on private land.

Eden is a very rural district, and there are many green lanes and tracks off the main highway. Generally this is private land usually belonging to a farmer. Please check that when reporting fly-tipping down these lanes and tracks that it is considered the main highway and public land.

If the Community Wardens are unable to identify the owner of the land the report will have to be closed. When reporting fly-tipping please say if you believe the land is private, and who you believe to be the owner.

What we do about reported fly-tipping

We will investigate all reported fly-tipping in Eden. We will organise for the removal of fly-tipping from public land. If the fly-tipping is on private land the landowner is responsible for its removal. If the Council cannot locate the owner of the land we will unfortunately be unable to remove the waste.

Alternatives to fly tipping

• Larger items can be collected, for a charge, from your home.

• Electrical items can be collected, for a charge, from you home.

• Most items can be taken to the household waste recycling centres at Flusco and Kirkby Stephen

• Items that can be used again can be donated to Impact Housing, collected free by the British Heart Foundation or advertised on Freegle in Penrith and Eden District.