We are determined to keep South Hams a green and pleasant place to live in and to visit. Fly-tipping is unpleasant, unhygienic, often dangerous, and unsightly. It is also illegal.
To report fly-tipping please telephone our customer services line 01803 861234.
If you want to leave anonymous information call our 24 hours line on 01803 861262.
We can remove fly-tipped refuse from public roads and pavements.
We have a street scene team whose duties include waste enforcement.
There are laws under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deter people from dropping litter and illegally dumping and carrying waste. Our officers will enforce these laws and may issue fixed penalty notices or prosecute anyone found acting unlawfully.
Fly-tipping
This is the deposit of any waste without a licence or permit. A person who commits an offence of fly-tipping is liable on conviction to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
Fly-tips on private land
We do not remove fly-tips from private land free of charge. Please call customer services on 01803 861234 for advice on removal of bulky waste.
If you have concerns about waste on private land that is causing a health hazard or an eyesore you can report it to Customer Services on 01803 861234.
Littering
Litter is not just wrappers, cans, bottles or packaging; it includes chewing gum, cigarette ends, food and large items such as bags of rubbish.
The council can summons offenders to court where the maximum penalty is £2,500. Instead of court proceedings the council can choose to issue a £75 fixed penalty notice to be paid within 14 days.
How can you help
If you witness anyone dropping litter or fly-tipping, e.g. from a car, please note down as many details of the incident as possible. For example the time, precise location, details of the items disposed of, and the identity of the person or vehicle registration number.
You can report this information to 01803 861234, or email streetscene@southhams.gov.uk.
If you have waste to dispose of that is not the normal household waste that the council collects, e.g. old kitchen units or waste from a building project, then please do not allow an unlicensed waste carrier to take it. It is likely to be fly-tipped. If the waste is traced to you, you will probably be prosecuted for passing your waste to an unauthorised person especially if you cannot give the details of the person who cleared away your rubbish.
Make sure anyone offering to clear your rubbish is a licensed waste carrier. They should be able to tell you that there are. You can find the nearest licensed waste carrier through the local business directories or telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506. Tell them your post code and they will give you details of your local carriers. Or you can check their public registers on their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
If the waste carrier does not give you a proper receipt it is most likely they are operating illegally. If you use this type of person you will be contributing to fly-tipping in the countryside which has to be cleared up at the cost of the council tax payer.
Enforcement Activity
During 2009/10 the Street Scene Team dealt with 771 waste complaints resulting in the issue of advice, leaflets, posters, and advice letters.
They also undertook 189 fly-tipping investigations, warning letters, 46 summonses, and 75 fixed penalty notices.
