According to the Government, data covering April 2023 to March 2024 shows that 42,171 fly-tipping incidents were reported by local authorities, with around 71% involving household waste.
Ministers say the scale of the problem has prompted fresh enforcement measures and additional support for councils.
150 cameras to target crime hotspots
Fly-tipping Action Wales will distribute 150 new trail cameras to local authorities using Welsh Government funding.
The cameras are intended to target known dumping hotspots and support evidence gathering for enforcement action and prosecutions.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, commented: “There is never any excuse for fly tipping. It blights our streets, countryside and communities, and people the length and breadth of the country are rightly angry about it.
“We are determined to clean up our communities, and these new cameras will help us do just that.
“Our continued funding makes sure local authorities have access to enforcement expertise, surveillance equipment and legal support they need to catch and punish those who break the law.”
Funding given to local authorities
Alongside the camera rollout, grant funding has been awarded to several councils, including Denbighshire, Flintshire, Nearth Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire, to support enforcement projects.
The results and operational lessons from these schemes are expected to be shared with other authorities to strengthen wider anti fly-tipping efforts.
Neath Port Talbot Councillor Scott Jones, Cabinet Member for Streetscene, explained: “The grant funding from Welsh Government has enabled us to invest in new surveillance cameras to support our fight against fly‑tipping.
“The equipment will be added to the various tools that are already proving invaluable, allowing our Waste Enforcement Team and Legal Services to take a far more proactive approach in identifying offenders and securing successful prosecutions.
“By strengthening our enforcement capabilities, we are sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in Neath Port Talbot.”
Review of fly-tipping fines
Ministers are also reviewing fixed penalty notice (FPN) limits for fly-tipping and household waste duty of care offences, with a view to increase fines if necessary.
Irranca-Davies added: “We have listened to local authorities who want stronger tools to tackle this problem, and we will consider whether current penalty levels are sufficient to deter would-be offenders.
“But we all have a role to play. I urge everyone to check that anyone they pay to remove waste is a registered waste carrier.
“If your waste ends up fly-tipped, you could face a fine or prosecution and risk a criminal record.”
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