whg urges customers to help fight fly-tipping this November

  • 10th November 2025

  • Customers

whg is teaming up with Keep Britain Tidy for ‘Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight’, a new campaign to crack down on rogue ‘white van’ operators and help local residents protect themselves and their communities from the growing scourge of waste crime.

Fly-tipping across England costs millions of pounds every year in clean-up costs, draining money that could otherwise be spent on essential local services. At whg, we spend around £300,000 every year cleaning up fly-tipping dumped on our estates. That’s money and time we could have spent providing services for you.

We are supporting Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight with a new series of podcasts hosted by our Neighbourhood Services Team, shared on our Facebook page across the fortnight, where we discuss what fly-tipping is, its impact and cost and what we can do to help stop it.

The campaign calls on people to protect themselves and their communities from falling for a #RubbishDeal – low-cost, unlicensed services offered on social media by organised waste criminals. Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight aims to shine a spotlight on rogue operators, who lure people in with cheap deals, only to illegally dump household waste on streets, fields and public spaces.

We’re asking households to take three simple steps to avoid a #RubbishDeal:

If your waste ends up being fly-tipped, you could face a fine – even if someone else dumped it. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is

Sarah Clarke, Director of Housing at whg said: “Fly-tipping uses resources and money that could be better used to deliver services for our customers. This campaign underlines the harm dumped rubbish causes in our neighbourhoods and we hope to prompt people to think about how they dispose of their waste.

“No community should have to live with fly-tipping and we will take firm action to tackle this offence, which is unsightly, can present safety risks and attracts pests.”

Dr. Anna Scott, Director of Services at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Councils are on the frontline of the fight against fly-tipping, responding day in, day out to clear dumped waste and keep our public spaces safe and clean. We know how much pressure this puts on already stretched local teams and we’re incredibly grateful to whg for joining forces with us for Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight.

“This campaign is about empowering residents to play their part in tackling this growing issue. By making simple checks before handing over waste and always getting a receipt, people can protect themselves from rogue traders, stop organised criminal networks in their tracks and help ensure public money is spent where it’s needed most.”

Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight will run from 10th – 23rd November 2025, with organisations across the country joining forces with Keep Britain Tidy to highlight the scale and impact of fly-tipping, educate residents on how to protect themselves and their communities.

Fly-tipping FAQs

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What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish, or unwanted objects. This includes leaving black bags on landings, by the bin sheds, on the footpath or on grassed areas. You might imagine a mattress or a fridge freezer, but fly-tipping isn’t just large amounts of waste. Even smaller items like bags of household waste are classed as fly-tipping.
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How can I report fly-tipping?
Please report fly-tipping to us so we can take the appropriate action. The best way to do this is using our online tool where you can give us all the details including a precise location.
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Who do I report fly-tipping to?

You can report fly-tipping on our land by using our online tool.

We will investigate to identify perpetrators and take appropriate action.

If the rubbish has been dumped on your local council’s land, it is their responsibility to clean it up and you should contact them. If you live in Walsall you can report it to: flytipping@walsall.gov.uk or on 01922 653355.

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Who is responsible for clearing up fly-tipping?

If the rubbish has been dumped on your local council’s land, it is their responsibility to clean it up and you should contact them.

However, if the rubbish has been dumped on whg land, you should report it to us using our online tool and we will investigate to identify perpetrators and take appropriate action.

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What is the punishment for fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £20,000. If the case goes to Crown Court, the fine can become unlimited and the offender may be imprisoned. It is a breach of your tenancy and could result in Notice Seeking Possession being served on you which could prevent you from being rehoused. We will also recharge perpetrators for the removal of unwanted waste. If you are found to be using your vehicle to dump illegally, your vehicle could be seized as we work closely with Walsall Council.
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I want to get rid of some old furniture. How can I do this?
  • Some charities, like the British Heart Foundation, will collect your items free of charge if they are in good condition to be sold in their shops.
  • Local councils offer “bulky waste” collections.
  • Make some extra cash by selling it online on sites like Ebay and ask the buyer to collect it in person. Or you could try Gumtree or Facebook market place.
  • Give your furniture a makeover by painting or varnishing it.
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What can I do with large waste items, like my old fridge?
Our Neighbourhood Services Team do not offer a bulky waste collection service. You can safely dispose of your rubbish for free at your local council’s waste and recycling centre. There are two household waste and recycling areas in Walsall:
  • Fryers Road Household Waste Recycling Centre, Bloxwich WS2 7LZ
  • Middlemore Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre, Aldridge, WS9 8EE
If you struggle to get to a waste and recycling centre, your local council may offer a bulky items collection service for a small charge.
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My bin hasn’t been collected. Who do I report it to?
Bin collections are the responsibility of your local authority. If your bin was missed you will need to contact them. If you have a communal bin which has not been collected because it is overflowing you can contact us.
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My bin isn’t big enough for all of my rubbish, what do I do?
You can save space by flattening plastic and cardboard items. If your bin is still too small, your local council may be able to give you a bigger one. Apply for a bigger bin from Walsall Council.
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