Haringey implements 150% fine increase for fly-tipping

Residents and businesses could be fined up to £1000 in an attempt to combat “waste dumping”.

In a council survey last year, 96% of 8,000 participants agreed that fines should be imposed for fly-tipping.

The council has also raised the maximum fine for littering to £500 – an increase of 230%.

Haringey has asked residents to use its bulky waste collection service or visit its Recycling and Reuse Centre in Wood Green to dispose of their waste rather that resorting to dumping it.

The council warned residents that its enforcement team regularly conducts patrols of the borough and checks in with local businesses in order prevent waste crime. It added that the team may also conduct investigations after reports of fly tipping.

Cllr Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for tackling inequality and resident services, said: “I’m really pleased the government has allowed councils to increase fines for dumping.

“Residents are sick and tired of seeing waste dumped around our lovely borough and strongly support tougher action. Working with them, we want to tackle this challenge head-on and ensure that public spaces remain free from litter and waste.

“We hope these increased penalties will act as a deterrent and punish people who commit this awful crime.”

Increased fly-tipping fines

Last year, the government issued an increase for the maximum fines councils could issue for littering, graffiti and fly-tipping in an effort to “crackdown on anti-social behaviour”. From 31 July 2023, councils were allowed to increase fly-tipping fines to £1000.

The move came after councils reported having dealt with almost 1.1 million incidents of fly-tipping annually.

At the time, former environment minister, Rebecca Pow, said: “We’re taking action right across government to crack down on anti-social behaviour and ensure waste criminals face justice – but it’s vital that communities have the tools they need to address the problem as well. That’s why we are supporting local authorities by increasing the upper limit for on-the-spot fines and ringfencing the proceeds for clean-up and enforcement operations.”