Residents are being encouraged to protect themselves and their communities from unscrupulous waste traders who illegally dispose of rubbish. The campaign, supported by Charnwood Borough Council, highlights how convincing online advertisements and low-cost waste removal services can be linked to criminal operators profiting from fly-tipping.
The initiative also advises residents to avoid a #RubbishDeal by taking simple steps to verify that anyone paid to remove waste is a licensed waste carrier and that their rubbish will be disposed of responsibly. It is important to note that residents themselves can face enforcement action if their waste is fly-tipped, not solely the individual who removed it.
Cllr Beverley Gray, the Council’s Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero, stated: "Fly-tipping damages our communities, spoils local areas and creates unnecessary costs for taxpayers. We’re asking our residents to make three simple checks before handing over their rubbish: ask to see a waste carrier licence, check it on the Environment Agency register and get a receipt. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect you, your community and our local environment from fly-tipping."
Fly-tipping incurs significant clean-up costs for councils across England annually, diverting funds that could be allocated to essential local services. In 2025, the borough council cleared over 1,000 instances of fly-tipping, removing more than 500 tonnes of waste.
Residents can avoid a #RubbishDeal by following three key steps: asking to see a waste carrier licence, checking the registration on the Environment Agency's public register, and ensuring they receive a receipt or written record of the transaction. The Environment Agency's public register can be accessed at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or by calling 0300 065 3000.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Keep Britain Tidy, added: “Local authorities see first-hand the damage fly-tipping causes, working every day to clear illegally dumped waste and protect the places their communities value. Our message is simple: don’t fall for a #RubbishDeal. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
The 'Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight' campaign will run from 12-25 October 2026. Local authorities nationwide are collaborating with Keep Britain Tidy to highlight the scale and impact of fly-tipping and educate residents on protective measures. Further information is available on the Keep Britain Tidy website at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/fight-fly-tipping-fortnight-2026.
