Hackney Council will enforce strict penalties for fly-tippers as the removal of illegally-dumped waste is costing millions and holding up street-cleaning teams.
Hackney Council responded to almost 30,000 fly-tipping incidents collecting more than 10 tonnes of illegally dumped waste during the year 2024/25.
The cost of clearing and disposing of this material over the course of the year was £2million, while the amount of illegally-dumped waste leads to delays in collection as Hackney’s street-cleaning teams cannot keep up with its removal.
Council environmental team leader Richard Moore said: “Our teams work really hard to keep the streets tidy but this level of fly-tipping is a real challenge to deal with.
“At the moment, crews are doing three to four loads a day.”
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and can result in fines of up to £50,000 if prosecuted.
To tackle the problem, the council has issued nearly 60 fines and enforcement notices to residents and business owners each week.
The council’s Behavioural Change Team is working with residents and businesses to improve waste practices, and they keep a close eye on CCTV footage to identify fly-tippers.
Cllr Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, said: “Fly-tipping is an issue across the capital and in Hackney we’re doing something about it.”
“That means making those who selfishly dump waste in the streets pay the penalty, and sending a clear message to all residents and businesses to do the right thing or face tough action.”
Hackney residents are urged to report fly-tipping incidents to the council in order to help keep the borough clean.
Feature image: Free to use from Unsplash
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