Preventing fly-tipping

Advice for households

You can dispose of most household waste at one of the recycling centres in Suffolk. However, if you arrange for anyone else to dispose of your waste for you, remember the 'SCRAP' code.

'S' is for Suspect. Be mindful of rogue waste carriers who dump waste illegally. If in doubt, do not let them take your waste.

'C' is for Check Ask to look at their waste carrier's licence. You can also check their details via the public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

'R' is for Refuse unsolicited offers. Always carry out your own research, and choose who you want to take your waste away.

'A' is for Ask questions. Ask what is going to happen to your waste, and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately. A legitimate waste carrier should not object to being asked reasonable questions.

'P' is for Paperwork. Make sure you get an invoice and receipt for your waste.

Read the Waste duty of care code of practice (from GOV.UK) for more information.

Advice for businesses

Businesses have a broader duty of care than households. They have to make sure that waste is stored safely and securely, and that waste information notes are completed for each load of waste removed.

GOV.UK have published guidance on how to dispose of business or commercial waste.

If you give your business waste to anyone other than:

You must check that they are a registered waste carrier. Please check the public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

You must also ensure that you complete waste information notes (often called waste transfer notes) relating to all waste that comes from your business. You must keep these notes for a period of two years. Failure to produce these notes when asked by the Council or the Environment Agency is an offence, for which you could be fined.

Read the Waste duty of care code of practice (from GOV.UK) for more information.

Advice for landowners

Landowners are responsible for removing and disposing of any waste fly-tipped on their land.

You can protect your land from fly-tipping by:

  • installing gates or barriers (ideally in keeping with the natural environment)
  • making sure that gates are closed when not in use
  • improving visibility so that fly-tippers are not hidden from view
  • installing or improving lighting
  • placing appropriate signage, CCTV or dummy cameras
  • clearing any dumped waste quickly, to discourage others from adding to it
  • reporting all fly-tipping incidents to the Council. Whilst we will not remove waste free of charge, we can investigate and take enforcement action where possible. In the event of prosecution, this can include an application to the courts to retrieve landowner's costs.