Flytipping, or illegal dumping, generally consists of large items of rubbish which are left by householders and businesses in back courts, lay-bys, watercourses and other areas instead of being disposed of properly at a landfill site, recycling centre or tip.
If you flytip waste, you are committing a serious offence and can be prosecuted. There are a number of pieces of legislation relating to flytipping, the main one being the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Sections 33 (illegal dumping), 34 (duty of care to deal with waste) and 5 (notice to be served on landowners to clear up illegally dumped waste).
Offenders face a fine of up to £40,000 and/or six months imprisonment. It is also an offence to permit or authorise flytipping on land where no Waste Management Licence is held, or where there is no registered exemption.
In the Falkirk Council area it is also absolutely unnecessary. Any household rubbish which will not fit into your wheelie bin can be taken to our Recycling Centres / Civic Amenity Sites (link to info) or a special uplift can be requested by calling 01324 504411.
Businesses can arrange a commercial waste uplift| from the Council or from a private waste contractor.
If rubbish is dumped on privately owned land, the Council will liaise with the landowner (if they can be identified) and, where necessary, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Central Scotland Police to take appropriate action.
What should I do if I see someone Flytipping?
Don’t put up with it – report it. If you report it, the rubbish can be removed and with your help the crime can be investigated.
If you see someone flytipping or would like to report an area where flytipping has taken place, take note of the following:
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The date, times and places of the occurrence;
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What the waste looks like and how much of it there is
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A description of any people and vehicles involved, along with the vehicles registration number.
You should then report it to the Dumb Dumpers Stop-Line on 0845 2 30 40 90 or online at dumbdumpers.org|
If the incident is ongoing the police will be contacted with a view to catching the offenders in the act. If the incident is of an obvious hazardous nature or is in a watercourse, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will be informed. In all cases, Falkirk Council is informed.
Flytippers are doing something illegal. They do not want to be caught. Some flytippers may become violent or threatening, you should not approach them. Only approach the site when you are sure it is safe to do so.
Some waste may also be hazardous. Do not touch anything. You should not approach it and certainly do not open and black bags or containers.