Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. This can include streets, alleyways, open spaces, private land, next to bins and at recycling points. Fly tipping is a criminal offence.
If you see illegally dumped waste, use our online form to report fly tipping.
Littering is leaving or dropping waste in a public place. This includes small items like cigarette ends, chewing gum and food packaging. You can get a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering, and have to pay between £100 – £500. If you don’t pay the fee, you could be taken to court and fined up to £2,500.
If there is no bin available, you should take your litter away and get rid of it safely. If you see someone littering, you can use our online form to report it.
There are several legal ways to get rid of unwanted waste and household items.
You can book a bulky waste collection for large items, visit the Portsmouth Recycling Centre or use the council’s recycling and rubbish services. Using these services helps make sure your waste is disposed of correctly and reduces the risk of environmental offences.
You’re legally responsible for your household waste, even after it leaves your property. If your waste is later found fly tipped, you must be able to show you got rid of it legally. If you can’t, you may get a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150 – £600. You could also be taken to court and get a fine of up to £5,000.
Always:
You may need these documents if there are questions about how your waste was disposed of.
The council has different Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) charges for fly tipping, depending on the amount/size.
Typical Fixed Penalty Notice charges:
Commercial or trade waste, hazardous waste, repeat offences and serious aggravating factors may result in a £1,000 penalty. You could also be taken to court.
