Litter and flytipping offences - enforcement review: final report
We commissioned this research report in 2022 and it was completed by Anthesis in autumn 2023. This project aimed to review the current enforcement model in Scotland and offer recommendations to strengthen that enforcement.
Footnotes
1 https://www.gov.scot/policies/managing-waste/litter-and-flytipping/
2 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scale-cost-litter-flytipping-scotland/. As outlined in the study, it is important to note using these figures carry a large degree of uncertainty as they assume the costs have remained the same when compared to 7 years ago, except for the adjustment for inflation and population growth in the 7 years period.
3 Data collected by the Scottish Liberal Democrats under FOI request to all Scottish local authorities and shared with Anthesis as part of this project. Also reported in: https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/scotland-fly-tipping-calls-for-tougher-action-to-punish-criminals-and-stamp-out-blight-of-illegal-rubbish-dumping-in-scotland-3966944
4 https://www.gov.scot/publications/criminal-proceedings-scotland-2020-21/documents/
5 https://www.gov.scot/publications/criminal-proceedings-scotland-2020-21/documents/
6 https://www.gov.scot/policies/managing-waste/litter-and-flytipping/
7 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scale-cost-litter-flytipping-scotland/. As outlined in the study, it is important to note using these figures carry a large degree of uncertainty as they assume the costs have remained the same when compared to 7 years ago, except for the adjustment for inflation and population growth in the 7 years period.
10 https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-litter-flytipping-consultation/
11 https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-litter-flytipping-strategy-consultation-analysis-report/
12 https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/updated-marine-litter-strategy-for-scotland/
13 https://www.gov.scot/publications/five-years-review-scotlands-national-litter-strategy/
14 https://cdn.zerowastescotland.org.uk/managed-downloads/mf-6spdjuv0-1683708179d
16 Data collected by the Scottish Liberal Democrats under FOI request to all Scottish local authorities and shared with Anthesis as part of this project. Also reported in: https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/scotland-fly-tipping-calls-for-tougher-action-to-punish-criminals-and-stamp-out-blight-of-illegal-rubbish-dumping-in-scotland-3966944
17 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/environmental-services/leams/
18 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/environmental-services/leams/
20 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/environmental-services/leams/
25 Stakeholder engagement feedback
28 The percentage relates only to those responding the specific question, not the % of people responding to the consultation as a whole.
29 The percentage relates only to those responding the specific question, not the % of people responding to the consultation as a whole.
30 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scale-cost-litter-flytipping-scotland/. As outlined in the study, it is important to note using these figures carry a large degree of uncertainty as they assume the costs have remained the same when compared to 7 years ago, except for the adjustment for inflation and population growth in the 7 years period.
31 https://www.gov.scot/publications/scale-cost-litter-flytipping-scotland/. As outlined in the study, it is important to note using these figures carry a large degree of uncertainty as they assume the costs have remained the same when compared to 7 years ago, except for the adjustment for inflation and population growth in the 7 years period.
32 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/data.pdf
33 https://www.gov.scot/publications/code-practice-litter-refuse-scotland-2018/documents/
34 Environmental Protection Act 1990 s88
35 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2015/383/contents/made
36 https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219604/lord_advocates_guidelines.pdf
37 Enforcement | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
39 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/section/87
40 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/lord-advocate-s-guidelines-liberation-by-the-police/html/
42 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/lord-advocate-s-guidelines-liberation-by-the-police/html/
44 https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-city-council-dishes-out-25844894
45 https://envirovue.io/uk-commercial-fly-tipping-fines/
46 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/our-role-in-the-justice-process/
47 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/prosecution-code/html/
48 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/our-role-in-the-justice-process/
49 https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service
50 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/prosecution-code/html/
51 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/prosecution-code/html/
52 https://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/prosecution-code/html/
53 Stakeholder engagement with COPFS
54 https://www.gov.scot/policies/managing-waste/litter-and-flytipping/
56 Stakeholder engagement
57 Engagement with COPFS
58 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2015/383/made/data.pdf
59 https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219604/lord_advocates_guidelines.pdf
60 https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219242/enforcement-guidance.pdf
61 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60193454
62 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60193454
63 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60193454
69 https://www.wastedataflow.org/
70 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/contents
71 https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05672/SN05672.pdf
72 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/contents
73 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/334/made
74 https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05672/SN05672.pdf
75 https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/sunak-promises-to-increase-fly-tipping-fines-from-400-to-1000/
76 https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/sunak-promises-to-increase-fly-tipping-fines-from-400-to-1000/
77 https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/sunak-promises-to-increase-fly-tipping-fines-from-400-to-1000/
79 Written communication with the Environment Agency as part of this project.
80 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fly-tipping-council-responsibilities
81 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fly-tipping-council-responsibilities
82 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fly-tipping-council-responsibilities
86 Reported here: https://www.londonworld.com/your-london/tower-hamlets/thousands-of-fly-tipping-incidents-in-tower-hamlets-4013413, with data officially recorded here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/env24-fly-tipping-incidents-and-actions-taken-in-england
87 https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/fixed-penalty-notices-increased-help-curb-fly-tipping
88 https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/fixed-penalty-notices-increased-help-curb-fly-tipping
93 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/contents
98 London boroughs have this power under London Local Authorities Act 2007 (amended 2012). This was extended to all local authorities in 2018 in The Littering From Vehicles Outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018.
107 https://www.gov.wales/local-authority-recorded-fly-tipping-april-2021-march-2022#:~:text=Fly%2Dtipping%20clearance%20in%20Wales,82%25%20resulted%20in%20a%20fine - Estimated clearance costs are based on the number of incidents broken down by size. This information is not recorded for all incidents. In 2021-22, size information was provided for 94% of incidents.
110 https://www.flytippingactionwales.org/en
113 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/contents
114 https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05672/SN05672.pdf
119 https://inf.news/en/world/50245aea948c3bd4ab817575fe1e4e86.html
120 https://www.aklagare.se/om-brottsligheten/olika-brottstyper/miljobrott/
122 https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/lga-increase-fly-tipping-fines-act-suitable-deterrent
127 https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/westminster-trials-ai-powered-cctv-to-catch-fly-tippers/
128 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC0SRInOzbI
129 https://www.clearway.co.uk/news/fly-tippers-caught-on-cctv/
132 Stakeholder engagement (January 2023)
135 https://www.bolton.gov.uk/news/article/1128/flytippers-warned-they-are-being-watched
139 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blogs/litter-fines-and-doing-time/
140 https://endplasticwaste.org/en/our-stories/the-countries-who-have-built-a-culture-of-cleanups
141 https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/news/s-c-r-a-p-fly-tipping-and-dispose-of-waste-responsibly
142 Suspect; Check; Refuse; Ask; Paperwork.
143 https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/proposals-for-bills/proposed-fly-tipping-scotland-bill
144 https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/blog/private-members-bill-could-offer-flytipping-solution
145 https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/blog/private-members-bill-could-offer-flytipping-solution
146 https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/circular-economy-scotland-bill
149 http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_136114.html
150 http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_139685.html
151 http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_139685.html
155 https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/recycling-officers-report-insufficient-funding-for-waste-crime/
156 https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/recycling-officers-report-insufficient-funding-for-waste-crime/
157 https://coins.westlothian.gov.uk/coins/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=e%97%9Dd%90i%7F%8C
158 https://coins.westlothian.gov.uk/coins/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=e%97%9Dd%90i%7F%8C
160 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blogs/litter-fines-and-doing-time/
161 The Flytipping Forum consists of: Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, SEPA, Police Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Woodland Trust Scotland, RMAS (Resource Management Association Scotland), Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Aberdeenshire Council, Eilean Siar Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City Council, Waste Managers Network, SOLACE, CoSLA.
162 https://scottishparc.co.uk/
163 http://www.llandough-cc.co.uk/_UserFiles/Files/_Other/Newsletter%20Spring%202021.pdf
165 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00824-1
166 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00824-1
167 https://www.bi.team/blogs/promoting-better-waste-management-with-behavioral-insights/
168 https://www.bi.team/blogs/promoting-better-waste-management-with-behavioral-insights/
171 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00824-1
172 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog/litter-fines-and-doing-time/
173 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog/litter-fines-and-doing-time/
177 https://crimesciencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40163-022-00170-3
179 https://behaviourchangecornwall.co.uk/signs-to-stop-plastic/
180 https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/enforcement/penalties-imposed-and-undertakings-accepted/
181 https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219243/communicating-penalties-and-undertakings-policy.pdf
182 The Flytipping Forum consists of: Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, SEPA, Police Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Woodland Trust Scotland, RMAS (Resource Management Association Scotland), Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Aberdeenshire Council, Eilean Siar Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City Council, Waste Managers Network, SOLACE, CoSLA.
187 Stakeholder input
188 Stakeholder input
191 https://www.gov.scot/publications/five-years-review-scotlands-national-litter-strategy/
195 ‘Unacceptable’ is the percentage of sites audited that were awarded a C or D grade classification for litter as defined by the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (Scotland) 2006 (which defines what constitutes an unacceptable site).
196 https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23185573.deprived-areas-worse-affected-litter/
197 https://www.gov.scot/publications/code-practice-litter-refuse-scotland-2018/pages/2/
198 https://hsr.se/artiklar/nationell-matning
199 https://hsr.se/artiklar/sa-tycker-svenskarna-om-skrapet
200 https://www.naturvardsverket.se/om-oss/publikationer/6700/swedish-environmental-law
201 https://inf.news/en/world/50245aea948c3bd4ab817575fe1e4e86.html
202 https://www.aklagare.se/om-brottsligheten/olika-brottstyper/miljobrott/
204 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/1043986220927123
205 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/1043986220927123
206 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2006/0024/latest/versions.aspx
207 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1979/0041/latest/versions.aspx
209 https://www.knzb.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Illegal-Dumping-Literature-Review-2022.pdf
210 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1979/0041/latest/versions.aspx
211 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2006/0024/latest/versions.aspx
212 Note – dollars quoted are New Zealand Dollars
213 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1979/0041/latest/versions.aspx
214 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1979/0041/latest/versions.aspx
215 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1979/0041/latest/versions.aspx
216 https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2022/04/08/7
218 https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/litter-flytipping/top-campaigns
219 https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/news/jul-2020/scotland-is-stunning-let-s-keep-it-that-way/
220 https://www.hubbub.org.uk/ballot-bin
221 https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/some-best-litter-prevention-campaigns-around-world
222 https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/some-best-litter-prevention-campaigns-around-world
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