Wiltshire Council has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy for Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight, a new campaign aiming to crack down on rogue ‘white van’ operators and help residents protect their communities from the growing problem of waste crime.
Fly-tipping costs councils across England millions of pounds each year in clean-up costs – money that could otherwise be spent on essential local services. Between April and October this year, Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Enforcement team received 1,801 reports of fly-tipping, a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The campaign urges residents to avoid falling for a #RubbishDeal - the kind of cheap, cash-only waste removal services often advertised on social media by unlicensed operators. These rogue traders frequently dump rubbish illegally, leaving communities and councils to foot the bill.
Wiltshire Council continues to promote its own Stop at Source (SAS) campaign, which reminds householders that they have a legal duty of care when disposing of waste. Anyone paying for rubbish to be taken away must make sure the collector is properly licensed.
Residents are being asked to follow three simple steps to avoid a #RubbishDeal:
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Ask for a waste carrier registration number.
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Check it on the Environment Agency’s public register.
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Get a written receipt or invoice.
Over the past 18 months, the council’s Environmental Enforcement team has issued 21 fixed penalty notices of £600 each to householders who failed to meet their duty of care.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Fly-tipping has a real impact in Wiltshire and is a deep source of frustration. Not only is it a blight on our environment, it also costs taxpayers thousands in clean-up costs – money that could otherwise be spent on essential council services.
“Our teams work tirelessly to tackle the problem, but we need our community’s help to stop it at source. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is – and sadly it’s our residents and communities who ultimately pay the price.”
Dr Anna Scott, Director of Services at Keep Britain Tidy, added: “Councils are on the frontline of the fight against fly-tipping, responding every day to clear dumped waste and keep public spaces clean. This campaign is about empowering residents to play their part. By making simple checks and always getting a receipt, people can protect themselves from rogue traders and stop organised criminal networks in their tracks.”
Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight runs from today, 10th to 23rd November, with local authorities across the country joining forces with Keep Britain Tidy to raise awareness and encourage responsible waste disposal.
Residents can check if a waste carrier is licensed by visiting the Environment Agency’s register, and find out more about how Wiltshire Council is tackling fly-tipping at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping
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