Council enforcement actions against fly-tipping went up and the number of incidents went down last year in England.
New statistics show fly-tipping fell 1 per cent in 2022/23, down from 1.09 million incidents in 2021/22 to 1.08 million.
However, the LGA has reiterated its call for bigger fines for fly-tippers to discourage offending, and for manufacturers to provide more ‘take back’ services for old household goods when they are replaced.
In 2022/23, 60 per cent of fly-tips involved household waste, albeit the number of incidents was down 3 per cent, from 671,000 in 2021/22 to 653,000.
Local authorities carried out 536,000 enforcement actions in 2022/23, up 6 per cent from 507,000 in 2021/22. But while the average court fine has increased, from £466 to £526, the number of fines issued has decreased by 17 per cent.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, the LGA’s Environment Spokesperson, said: “Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin.
“This decrease in fly-tipping is positive, and a testament to the hard work of councils.
“We continue to urge the Government to review sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping, so that offenders are given bigger fines for more serious offences to act as a deterrent.
“Manufacturers should also contribute to the costs to councils of clear up, by providing more take-back services so people can hand in old furniture and mattresses when they buy new ones.”