Flytipping numbers
Case reference FOI2026/00745
Received 31 March 2026
Published 28 April 2026
Request
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding illegal waste dumping (fly‑tipping) within your council area.
The Environment Agency stated in January 2025 that there were 517 active illegal waste dumps in the country.
The figures I have for your area are a total of 3,137 tonnes of waste.
Can I get your comment on the scale of the problem and how it is being addressed?
Response
Please find the answers to your queries below:
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding illegal waste dumping (fly‑tipping) within your council area.
The Environment Agency stated in January 2025 that there were 517 active illegal waste dumps in the country.
The figures I have for your area are a total of 3,137 tonnes of waste.
Can I get your comment on the scale of the problem and how it is being addressed?
In relation to the first part of your question (our comment on the scale of the problem), please note that this does not fall within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, as it is a request for an opinion, not information.
Regarding the second part of your question (how is this issue being addressed?), please find this information below:
Fly-tipping is a significant issue and Guildford Borough Council, in conjunction with Waverley Borough Council, take a zero-tolerance approach to this. We use various strategies to deter offenders, including use of CCTV and proactive patrols. We remind residents to be cautious when hiring private waste contractors to prevent fly tipping and to avoid a potential fine or prosecution.
We have also worked successfully with Surrey Police and the Environment Agency in stop search operations that resulted in a prolific fly tipper being caught.
Documents
This is Guildford Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.