Friday October 9th 2026
Flytipping in Stirling
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Homeowners across Scotland are being reminded they could face fines of up to £500 if their unwanted waste is dumped illegally, as part of a new campaign to tackle flytipping.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched a campaign highlighting householders’ responsibilities when disposing of unwanted items and the impact flytipping has on communities and the environment.
The Scottish Government’s National Flytipping Baseline estimates that around 26,000 tonnes of material are dumped across Scotland every year, while 84% of people agree flytipping is a national problem.
The campaign urges people to take household waste to a council recycling centre or use a registered waste carrier to remove unwanted items.
Householders are also being warned that they remain responsible for their waste even when paying someone else to dispose of it. If illegally dumped waste can be traced back to them, they could face a fine of up to £500.
Heather McLaughlin, campaigns manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said many people simply chose the cheapest option when hiring someone to remove their waste without considering where it would end up.
She said: “Flytipping is a serious crime. We understand that the majority of people who want to get rid of waste simply pay the best price for someone to remove the items – they don’t think about what happens to it and whether it ends up in the right place or just dumped.
“But the bottom line is your waste is your responsibility; 38% of people don’t know it is your responsibility to check if the person you ask to remove your waste has a license.”
Ms McLaughlin added that flytipping was costly to clear up and had a damaging effect on local communities.
She urged anyone clearing out their home or carrying out renovation work to dispose of waste at a council recycling centre or check that any waste carrier they hire is properly licensed.
The campaign forms part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s support for the Scottish Government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy.
For advice on disposing of waste, finding a reputable trader or reporting flytipping, visit the Community Litter Hub.
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