The initiative, running from Monday 12 to Sunday 25 October, highlights the dangers posed by criminal waste traders who use sophisticated online advertisements to deceive the public. These unscrupulous individuals pose as legitimate businesses but illegally dispose of the waste they are paid to remove, costing councils millions annually.
Fly-tipping significantly impacts local services in Fylde. In 2025, the council dealt with 396 reported incidents, a figure already surpassed in 2026 with over 420 cases recorded and nearly three months of the year remaining. The campaign urges residents to avoid a #RubbishDeal by being vigilant against low-cost, unlicensed services often advertised on social media by organised criminal groups.
Rogue traders often conceal their illicit activities behind professional-looking adverts and seemingly positive reviews, making it challenging to distinguish them from legitimate operators. The campaign aims to educate residents on how to identify these risks and perform simple checks before handing over their waste, preventing it from being dumped in streets, fields, and public spaces.
Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services at Fylde Council, stated, “Fly-tipping takes a real toll on communities like ours. In Fylde, we’re dealing with everything from mattresses and furniture dumped on rural lanes to household rubbish left in local beauty spots, damaging the places people live in and care about and leaving our teams to clear up the mess.”
She added, “Every fly-tip also comes at a cost. Last year our teams cleared up 396 incidents, and we’ve already passed that figure this year. Every one of those takes time and money that could be going into other local services, which is why stopping waste from being dumped in the first place matters so much.”
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Keep Britain Tidy, commented, “Local authorities see first-hand the damage fly-tipping causes, working every day to clear illegally dumped waste and protect the places their communities value. Tackling the problem places huge demands on already stretched council teams, which is why we’re so pleased to have Fylde Council supporting Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight this year.”
Ogden-Newton continued, “Our message is simple: don’t fall for a #RubbishDeal. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” The campaign encourages households to take three key steps: ask for a waste carrier licence, check the Environment Agency’s public register or call 0300 065 3000, and ensure they receive a receipt.
Residents can report fly-tipping incidents via the Fylde Council website.
