Local authority recorded fly-tipping: April 2018 to March 2019

Care should be taken when interpreting these figures due to changes and improvements in data reporting mechanisms and associated guidance (see the quality report).

Main points

• 35,076 fly-tipping incidents were reported in Wales. This is 1% less than the previous year, and the lowest figure reported since 2014-15(1).
• Annual change in the number of fly-tipping incidents varied across Wales. 11 local authorities reported a decrease and 11 local authorities reported an increase.
• The largest annual decrease in fly-tipping incidents was in Denbighshire (45%), with considerable decreases in Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Monmouthshire (35%, 30% and 29% respectively).
• The largest annual increases were in Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil and Neath Port Talbot (31%, 28% and 26% respectively). This was partly due to improved reporting mechanisms.
• 71% of incidents involved household waste (black bag or other household waste).
• Fly-tipping clearance in Wales was estimated to cost £1.7 million(2).
• 27,007 enforcement actions were taken; the lowest number of enforcement actions to be taken since 2014-15.
• 89% of prosecution outcomes resulted in a fine.

(1) Following clarification of guidance documentation on fly tipping in 2017, side waste (excess waste placed next to a bin) are no longer reported as fly tipping incidents.
(2) Estimated clearance costs are based on the number of incidents broken down by size. This information is not recorded for all incidents. In 2018-19, size information was provided for 94% of incidents.