Fly tipping isn't worth the risk, warns Guildford Borough Council
Fly-tipping is a blight on communities, harms wildlife and damages the environment. It costs Councils millions of pounds a year to clear up. Money that's spent clearing up illegally dumped waste cannot be invested in other important local services.
We're reminding residents they have a legal duty of care when disposing of their waste. They could face enforcement action if waste is later found to be fly-tipped.
Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith, Lead Councillor for Regulatory Services at Guildford Borough Council, said:
"Fly-tipping is not only unsightly, it can have a significant impact on our environment and local communities. It attracts vermin, creates health hazards and can damage valuable habitats.
"We are committed to keeping Guildford clean and protecting our countryside, parks and public spaces. We urge residents to take responsibility for their waste and to be cautious of individuals offering cheap waste collection services.
"If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Taking a few simple steps to check a waste carrier is legitimate can help prevent environmental crime and ensure waste is disposed of responsibly."
Do your checks
If you pay someone to remove waste from your property, you must make reasonable checks to ensure it will be disposed of legally.
Before handing over waste, you should:
- Ask to see a Waste Carrier Licence
- Check the licence online via the Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers register
- Ask for and keep a written record of the waste collected, known as a Waste Transfer Note
- Make a note of the vehicle registration number
Failing to take these steps could leave you liable if your waste is later found dumped.
Taking action against offenders
We take fly-tipping seriously. As a Council, we have a range of powers available to investigate incidents and take action against those responsible.
We can:
- Investigate fly-tipping incidents
- Review CCTV and other evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Check compliance with waste duty of care requirements
- Issue Fixed Penalty Notices where appropriate
- Seize vehicles suspected of taking part in waste crime
- Prosecute offenders
Serious cases can result in prosecution. This means courts are able to impose unlimited fines and, for the most serious offences, prison sentences of up to five years. Authorities may also seek to recover the costs of:
- investigation,
- enforcement
- and clean-up from offenders.
We've worked alongside partners including:
- The Environment Agency
- Surrey Police
- and Waverley Borough Council
on targeted operations to tackle waste crime and illegal waste carriers. This has helped to disrupt fly-tipping activity across the area.
How you can help
Residents can support efforts to keep Guildford clean by:
- Reporting fly-tipping as soon as possible
- Providing photographs or video evidence where it is safe to do so
- Avoiding disturbing potential evidence within a fly-tip
- Using authorised waste disposal services
- Checking waste carrier licences before handing over waste
If you suspect or see fly-tipping taking place, you can report it on our website.
You can also find your nearest recycling point by visiting our website.
Published on: 15 July 2026.