Fly-tipping

The Government supports local authorities and the Environment Agency (EA) to tackle fly-tipping and large-scale illegal waste through a range of measures.

Defra officials chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG), through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders, including local councils, the EA, National Farmers Union and National Police Chiefs Council.

The NFTPG promotes and disseminates good practice on preventing fly-tipping and supports delivery through practical tools, including guidance on presenting robust cases to court, set up and run effective local partnerships to tackle fly-tipping and raise awareness of the household and business waste duty of care.

Defra works closely with the EA to ensure it is equipped to carry out its functions effectively and deliver for the public and the environment.

The EA may investigate those incidents of fly-tipping which involve the following: more than 20 tonnes, 20 cubic metres, or a tipper load of waste; organised crime; or waste with the potential to be environmentally damaging (such as hazardous waste or 75 litres or more of liquid waste).

The EA’s total budget for 2025-26 financial year has increased to £2,274 million. This includes £10m for waste crime enforcement, and for this financial year an additional £5.6m to tackle waste crime.

Alongside this, Defra has recently launched a survey of local authorities to inform the development of a potential Landfill Tax Rebate Scheme. This work will strengthen the evidence base on the scale and costs of clearing large illegal waste sites and will inform advice to Ministers on options for further support to enable remediation where Landfill Tax is a barrier.