Illegal waste disposal is simply more than just the ugly sight of furniture and rubbish bags in wooded areas. Rectifying fly tipping comes at a cost to local councils and thousands upon thousands of pounds are spent every year doing so.

But do you know the true personal cost of illegal waste disposal? Do the courts have the power to impose more than just fines to people who dump waste illegally? And can someone still be liable for waste, even when it’s left their property? We reveal all.

Once my waste has left my property, is it still my problem?

Contrary to popular myth, a householder can actually be fined £400 if they pass their waste to an unlicensed carrier who then fly tips it. The same fine can be issued to anyone who dumps their own waste illegally too. Two people in the Chester area were hit with a fine recently for dumping bags of waste and a sofa. In more extreme cases, fines can reach as high as £50,000 for fly tipping. Even for a seemingly ‘innocent’ party, the personal cost can be hundreds of pounds.

Can fly tippers go to prison?

There are no minimum penalties for illegal waste disposal and offenders risk prison sentences, especially if they’ve been caught before. You’re probably more likely to receive a fine, but anyone who finds themselves in court could be locked up for up to five years or get a suspended prison sentence. And there’s nothing to stop authorities slapping a fine on top making it a double whammy for criminals. The personal cost here is freedom and getting a criminal record.

What are the chances of getting caught on camera?

There really is no hiding place if you live in Dudley in the Midlands. The local authorities have set up a ‘Name and Shame’ campaign where CCTV footage is posted online showing people, their faces and the location they’ve been caught fly tipping. Over £1 million has been invested on the cameras, but it remains to be seen if this hard line approach will become more widely adopted. The personal cost? Your reputation.

Is it true that I can be kicked out of my local area?

Perhaps one of the less common punishments, but one that can be given out and was recently to a group in Northamptonshire. The five offenders were given fines and are now banned from carrying out any waste removal work within the county. They were given Community Behaviour Orders which also means they can’t settle on any land in Northamptonshire without written consent of both the landowner and relevant council. Such bans limits the number of places someone can live and work.

But what’s the best solution?

The simple answer is use a fully licensed and reputable waste company and CBS Waste is both the former and the latter. Call us on 01480 220434 or email info@cbs-waste.org to book a job. You can also request a quote through our website and hire a mini skip for larger jobs.