Residents are being urged to join the fight against fly-tipping as Cornwall Council steps up efforts to catch offenders.
With 17,500 fly-tips recorded across Cornwall over the past five years, the Council has launched a new campaign to tackle the issue.
It’s increased the maximum fine for fly-tipping from £1,000 to £5,000 and is using covert cameras to help identify offenders. The council's Community Protection Team also has powers to seize vehicles believed to have been used for fly-tipping.
Now residents are being asked to play their part in preventing waste from being dumped.
Residents are being reminded to check that anyone they pay to remove waste is a licensed waste carrier. If waste is handed to an unlicensed carrier and later dumped illegally, householders could be fined.
People are also encouraged to report fly-tipping on public land and provide any photos or videos that could help identify those responsible.
Cornwall Council’s Community Protection Team uses a variety of methods to trace those responsible for illegal dumping.
Sarah-Jane Brown, Group Leader for Community Protection at Cornwall Council, said: “There’s no excuse for fly-tipping.
“We work hard to identify those responsible for illegal dumping and will hold offenders to account wherever possible.
“We’re asking people to play their part and work with us to prevent fly-tipping, and to share any information that may help us trace those responsible for dumping rubbish.”
Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said: “Fly-tipping can cause serious harm to our communities, the environment and wildlife.
“It also costs councils and landowners huge amounts of money to clear up.
“This is an issue that we take really seriously and those who choose to dump waste illegally should be in no doubt that we will pursue enforcement action wherever possible.”
Report it
If you witness fly-tipping, please report it and share any photos or videos that may help identify those responsible.
Press release issued on October 12, 2026