Fly-tipping is the dumping of rubbish or any unwanted item in any quantity on any land that is not licensed to accept it.

Fly-tipping can present a hazard to the public, it can pollute the land and watercourses, looks unsightly and costs the council tax-payer significant amounts of money to clear it away.

With the introduction of a tax on rubbish which is disposed of through landfill, incidents of fly-tipping have increased. The council is responsible for clearing fly-tipping from public areas under its control and deals with several hundred incidents each month. Fly-tipping on land which is private is the responsibility of the land owner or owners who, in certain circumstances, can be made to clear away the rubbish.

The fines for fly-tipping are substantial and can be up to £50,000, with a six-month prison sentence. If the case is taken to Crown Court, the fines can be unlimited and if hazardous waste is dumped, such as asbestos, a prison sentence of up to five years can be imposed. Vehicles used for fly-tipping can be seized by the police.

Remember, householders in Medway can have up to three items of bulky waste, such as furniture, collected free of charge at a time.

They may also take their household rubbish to any of the three household waste sites and recycling centres.