Fly-tipping incidents

Request data on reported fly-tipping, clean-up costs, and enforcement action.

Fly-tipping is illegal dumping of waste on land that does not have a licence to accept it. This data shows the scale of the problem in your area and what is being done about it.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of fly-tipping incidents reported or recorded. 2. The total cost of clearing fly-tipped waste. 3. The number of fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping. 4. The number of prosecutions brought for fly-tipping offences and the number that resulted in a conviction. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
Back to top ↑

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s environmental services or waste management team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Back to top ↑

Tips#

  • This is environmental information, so it falls under the EIR rather than FOISA. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
  • SEPA also records some fly-tipping data, particularly for larger-scale dumping. Consider whether your request should go to the council, SEPA, or both.
  • If the council says this would exceed the cost limit, drop item 4 and focus on the volume and cost data.