Our Guide to Successfully Reporting Fly-tipping…
We met the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s (LBWF) ‘Neighbourhoods North‘ and ‘Waste Contract Compliance’ department managers. This meeting was to unpick problems with the reporting of fly-tipping, especially around the Folly Lane footpath. We also met the Community Engagement Officer for the waste contractor, FCC Environment (previously called Urbaser).
Here is our current understanding of the situation:
- Report fly-tipping
- How to report fly-tipping
- An important consideration for fly-tipping in greenspace areas
- Keep the receipt and REQ reference number.
- What if the fly-tipping is not collected?
- Disposing of household waste
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Report Fly-Tipping
Items must be reported for removal.
➡️ Reporting is important to demonstrate the number of incidents occurring in this area and the number of residents concerned by it. This draws council attention and resources to the area. ✅
Bookmark the link (below) on your phone for when out and about. Or search for ‘LBWF report flytipping’ on your browser.
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How to Report Fly-tipping
Report fly-tipping on the LBWF website, using this link. You will need to log in or register to do so.
➡️ Provide clear instructions on where the item is located. ✅
Don’t be vague. Assume the FCC Environment contractor does not know the local area. Locating items in this green area can be challenging. The system often identifies pins on the map as being located at ’65 Durban Road.’ To avoid confusion, please include detailed location information in your report. For example:
“From the bottom of Durban Road, turn right onto the Folly lane footpath. The item is halfway between this point and the large pylon, on the right-hand side of the footpath”.
Include one or two photos if possible ✅
Photos should clarify the item’s location (see example photo, below, showing the fridge in relation to the park steps).
If your photo is too large to upload, take a screenshot and upload that instead.
Use what3words for precision ✅
This mobile app and/or webpage assigns a unique three-word code to every 3m square. helps to share precise locations.
For example, https://w3w.co/quiz.sport.rather marks where Durban Road meets the Folly Lane footpath.
Ideally, add a what3words link to your report.
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An important consideration for fly-tipping in greenspace areas
➡️ Unfortunately, FCC Environment is only contracted for ‘streets’ and not for ‘grounds’.
This means their crew does not go into the bushes, hedgerows or long grass to retrieve items. In order to be retrieved, items in these areas would first need to be moved onto the street or footpath and reported from there (see photo example below).
➡️ If you choose to do this: ✅
- Take great care!
- Use gloves and firm footware.
- Lift heavy items with help and consider manual handling technique.
- Watch out for broken glass, dog poop and other hazards.
If the item is too heavy (e.g. a motorbike), email recyclingteam@walthamforest.gov.uk and request support. This request will be passed to the Neighbourhoods North team.
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Keep the receipt and REQ reference number.
➡️ Keep the email receipt for the fly-tipping report and, in particular, note the REQ reference number.
This might be needed again.
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What If The Fly-tipping Is Not Collected?
This can happen. ☹️ The FCC contractor might not have been able to find the item. If it is located in the grass or bushes they are not permitted to collect it from there (see above).
Unfortunately, the LBWF’s IT system cannot send out any messages other than ‘this is now complete’ but, internally, LBWF can see more information about each REQ.
➡️ If your fly-tipped item is not collected within a few weeks, or you receive notification that it has been completed when it hasn’t, forward your notification email (with the REQ) to recyclingteam@walthamforest.gov.uk and ask them to follow it up. This draws attention to the issue by LBWF itself.
➡️ If contacting the recycling team still does not resolve the incident, there is a problem. Forward the email chain, with the REQ clear and a brief summary of the issue (i.e. fly-tipping not collected and no satisfactory response received from follow-up communication to the recycling team) to the Higham Hill ward councillors. They know fly-tipping is a big concern in Higham Hill. Cllr Karen Bellamy assisted our previous meeting with LBWF’s Waste Contract Compliance Manager. The councillors can contact department managers directly.
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Disposing of Household Waste
40% of fly-tipping incidents are estimated to be carried out by rogue traders rather than individuals.
Keep Britain Tidy urges the public, to ask anybody that they hire to remove waste, to show a ‘waste carrier registration number‘. This number (or the business name) can then be quickly checked on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling 03708 506 506 – option 1 then 2.
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We all need to work together to keep the Folly Lane footpath and surrounding areas free from fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping is a national concern.
Thank you for your time and dedication to this cause.
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Last updated: 14th November 2025
Originally written 30th October 2025
