Fly Tipping
The dumping of waste (fly tipping) and dropping of litter is illegal and both are punishable by a fine. We are responsible for sweeping the streets and removing litter. The Council does not clear dumped rubbish or litter from private land, this is the responsibility of the landowner/tenant.
Report Fly-Tipping
Your legal duty of care
Every individual and business has a duty of care over their waste, even after it has left your home or premises, and failure to take reasonable steps to do this risks prosecution and a fine.
If you or your business pay someone to take your waste away - whether by man-with-a-van, builder, gardener or other tradesperson - it is important to check if they have a waste carrier's licence. Ask to see the licence, and ensure you check where your waste will go. You can also go online to see if they are registered with the Environment Agency - click on the link below - or call the agency on 03708 506 506*.
Environment Agency: Public Register
What you can do
All homes receive regular waste and recycling collections and have access to bulky waste collections and a network of recycling sites throughout the county. There are also many options to allow waste to be reused and other alternatives for bulky waste collections.
All businesses are responsible for making their own arrangements to recycle or dispose of their waste and there are many companies providing these services.
Somerset Waste Partnership: Business Waste Services
What you can do
Please use the online form to report dumped waste or alternatively call 0300 303 8588 to make a report. Please note the Council does not clear dumped rubbish or litter from private land, this is the responsibility of the landowner/tenant.
We must have the following information to be able to investigate the report:
- Contact information in case we are unable to locate the dumped waste
- Location e.g. town or village and a road name
- Brief directions of how to find it
- Type of waste e.g. general litter, fly-tipping such as a fridge, sofa cushions etc
- Approximate amount of waste e.g. car boot, small van or transit van
- Is it hazardous waste e.g. chemical drums or asbestos (these will be collected by a specialist team)
If you have witnessed the illegal dumping of waste, do not disturb the site, there may be evidence that could help identify the individuals responsible and enable the council to pursue them and take subsequent enforcement. Please provide the following additional information:
- Vehicle registration
- Brief description of the vehicle/s seen fly-tipping
- Brief description of the person/people seen fly-tipping
- Photographic evidence if possible of the above
- Date and time you witnessed the incident
If you find dangerous litter, such as an empty syringe, dog fouling, or a major spillage on a public road, please report it to us.
*Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.