Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish and costs UK taxpayers millions every year - it can range from a carrier bag or bin liner, to multiple loads weighing many tonnes.

Please note from 16th October 2025 for approximately 4 weeks, we are undertaking a major upgrade of our database which may have an impact on our service delivery. Whilst all services will continue during this time period to the best of our ability, please be aware that you may experience delays in officers answering your queries and would ask for your patience at this time

Reporting fly-tipping

Dumped waste is harmful to the environment, encourages vermin, spoils our communities and can even put the health and wellbeing of your neighbours at risk. The taxpayer money that is spent on clearing up illegally dumped waste can also be better spent on other council service

When you report fly-tipping, our Street Scene team will clear it from public land, for which it has responsibility, within 7 working days.We will also work with private land owners to ensure any dumped materials are safely removed.

How to report it

You can report fly-tipping by completing the online form linked to above or by calling us on 01302 736000.

We need to know:

  • Where it is
  • What it is
  • Is it hazardous - asbestos, oils, chemicals etc
  • Roughly how much
  • If possible, information about the vehicle/individuals involved
  • Your contact details in case we need to contact you for more information

If you've witnessed somebody fly-tipping

We urge you to report it directly to our Environmental Health Enforcement Team. You can do this in the following ways:

By email: fly.tipping@doncaster.gov.uk

By telephone: 01302 737573

Consequences of fly tipping

Fly-tipping is a serious offence - if convicted, fly tippers face: 

  • an unlimited fine and / or up to 12 months in prison if convicted in Magistrates Court 
  • or an unlimited fine and / or up to 5 years in prison if convicted in Crown Court 

You can see examples of people in Doncaster who have been prosecuted for fly-tipping or related offences on our website: Prosecutions - City of Doncaster Council

Your responsibilities when arranging for waste collection

Even if you don’t mean to, you could unwittingly enable fly-tipping by handing your waste over to someone who isn’t properly licensed. You will often find these unscrupulous individuals on places like Facebook and they will not dispose of items properly. If they do end up dumping illegally on your behalf, and this is traced back to you, then you could be held responsible and incur a fixed penalty notice of £250.

You therefore have a duty to ensure that anybody collecting your waste is registered with the Environment Agency. They should carry with them at all times a waste carriers licence and they should also provide you with a waste transfer note when they take your waste away. 

You can also check if somebody is registered by following this link to the Environment Agency website. Environment Agency Register

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Last updated: 24 October 2025 12:23:34

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