Fly-tipping incidents in England have hit a record high, with 1.26 million cases recorded in 2024-25, a 9% increase from the previous year, according to data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Despite the surge, only 0.2% of incidents resulted in court action, with fines dropping from 1,378 to 1,250.
Household waste accounted for almost two-thirds of incidents (777,000), up 13% from 2023-24, including items from house clearances, old furniture, and DIY projects. Most dumping occurred on pavements and roads (37%), with small van load-sized incidents making up 31% of cases.
The cost of clearing rubbish reached £19.3 million, a £6.2 million increase. In response, the government issued guidance for councils to seize and crush vehicles used in fly-tipping and to name and shame offenders on social media.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron called the figures “the equivalent of 142 monster landfills a day.” Campaign group Clean Up Britain founder John Read described it as a “national epidemic,” urging tougher penalties. Circular economy minister Mary Creagh warned fly-tippers: “if you use your van to trash our countryside, don’t be surprised when it ends up on the scrapheap.”
