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Fly tipping

Fly tipping

The fly tipping of controlled waste is a serious criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £50,000 (unlimited if indicted to the Crown Court). An offender can be sent to prison for up to five years.

It is important to realise that it is also an offence to permit fly tipping. Salford City Council treats this problem very seriously and will prosecute anyone caught fly tipping waste in the Salford area. Waste is often dumped from vehicles - and the owner can also be prosecuted if the vehicle (not the driver) is identified The police also have the powers to seize vehicles used for fly tipping.

If you discover fly tipped waste after the tippers have left, please follow these simple guidelines:

  • Do not touch the waste: fly tipped waste can be dangerous - it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances.

  • Visually inspect the waste: try to find out what the waste is and how much there is.

  • Take note of its exact location: and whether it is in or near water.

  • Do not disturb the site: there may be evidence that could help identify the culprits and lead to their prosecution.

If you see someone fly tipping. if possible, please make a note of:

  • The day, date and time you saw the tipping take place.

  • What you saw:

    • How many people were fly tipping and what they looked like

    • What they were actually doing

  • Any vehicles involved - their make, colour and registration number

  • Where were you when you saw the fly tipping:

    • What kind of view you had

    • How far away you were

    • Weather and light conditions

  • What was tipped:

    • How much?

    • What it looked like

What to do if you see an abandoned shopping trolly

Abandoned shopping trollies are not collected by the council and should be reported directly to TrollyWise for collection. You can report it to TrolleyWise online, by emailing trolleywise@wanzl.co.uk or search for the TrolleyWise app on your mobile phone or tablet.

Fly-tipping and land ownership

Residents often ask why the council hasn't cleared litter or fly-tipping from a piece of land near them, especially when it isn't obvious who is responsible for it. The answer usually comes down to whether the land is 'adopted' (owned or maintained by Salford City Council), 'unadopted' (the responsibility of a private landowner) or 'unregistered' (there is no registered title at HM Land Registry, ownership may still exist and may need to be established through historic deeds or other evidence). The frequently asked questions below explain what these terms mean, who is responsible for different types of land, and what to do when ownership isn't clear.

What does 'adopted land' mean?

Adopted land is land that is owned or maintained by Salford City Council. However, not all adopted land is on a regular maintenance schedule. Some areas are only maintained when issues are reported or when needed.

What does 'unadopted land' mean?

Unadopted land is not maintained by Salford City Council. It does not mean the land has no owner.

Who is responsible for unadopted land?

Responsibility usually sits with the landowner. This could be a private individual, a developer, a management company, a housing association, another public body or another organisation.

Who is responsible for alleyways behind houses?

This depends on who owns the alleyway. Some are maintained by the council, while others are privately owned and are the responsibility of neighbouring property owners, a housing association or another landowner. We will check our records to establish who is responsible.

What if the land doesn't have a registered owner?

Some land is not registered with HM Land Registry. This doesn't necessarily mean nobody owns it. If ownership is unclear, we will check our records and investigate further where possible.

Does overgrown land mean it isn't maintained by the council?

No. Some council-owned land is not on a regular maintenance schedule, so overgrown vegetation does not necessarily mean the land is unadopted.

Report fly tipping

Remember - don't put yourself at risk

Any fly tipped material will be investigated by an officer. Response and removal time will vary depending on the type of waste.

For example, asbestos or other hazardous waste will be removed within approximately 24 hours, whereas builders' rubble will be removed within approximately five working days.

Follow the SCRAP code when hiring someone to remove your waste.

This page was last updated on 2 September 2026

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