A fresh warning has been issued about the dangers of handing waste to rogue traders in Hertfordshire.
The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP) is supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s Fight Fly Tipping Fortnight, which began on October 12, and aims to raise awareness about the legal responsibility residents hold for their waste until it is properly disposed of.
Councillor Tim Williams, chairman of the HWP, said: "We're seizing the opportunity to build awareness and combat the antisocial crime of fly tipping across this fortnight.
"While we do see commercial and construction waste being illegally dumped in Hertfordshire, the most recent statistics show that 62 per cent of fly tips contain household waste."
Between April 2024 and March 2025, more than 15,000 incidents of fly tipping were reported in Hertfordshire.
Authorities issued 176 Fixed Penalty Notices and secured nine prosecutions related to illegal dumping during that period.
The HWP, which includes Hertfordshire County Council and the county’s 10 district and borough councils, is using the fortnight to highlight recent enforcement cases and promote responsible waste disposal.
Fly tipping is an environmental and antisocial offence that harms communities, pollutes green spaces, and puts wildlife and public health at risk.
It also imposes significant clean-up costs on taxpayers.
Many residents may not realise that leaving waste beside public bins, recycling banks, or charity shops is considered fly tipping and could incur a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £5,000.
Cllr Williams warned that using unlicensed waste carriers can also put residents at risk of prosecution.
He said: "Most residents would never knowingly support waste crime, but many are unaware that they remain legally responsible for their waste even after it leaves their property.
"When you hand over your waste to a carrier or trader, you are also liable if that waste is fly tipped."
Residents are encouraged to use official disposal services, such as Recycling Centres, council bulky waste collections, charity schemes, or registered waste carriers.
The HWP recommends following the SCRAP code: suspect rogue waste offers, check the carrier’s registration, refuse unexpected offers, ask about disposal methods, and obtain proper paperwork.
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