Getting a grip on London’s fly tipping issue
London has the highest rates of fly-tipping in the UK. With 481,088 incidents recorded in 2024/25 – an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year – the capital sees more than double the number of incidents per head than any other region in England. Almost 60 per cent of incidents involve household waste.1
The London Assembly Environment Committee will tomorrow examine the causes of fly-tipping, why London is disproportionately affected, the responsibilities of those disposing of waste, landowners, borough councils and the Environment Agency, and what more can be done to tackle the problem.
Assembly Members will explore why rates vary significantly between boroughs, whether current enforcement measures are effective, and the impact that fly-tipping and illegal dumping has on local communities, public spaces and the environment. They will also consider solutions such as stronger enforcement, improved waste disposal services, public awareness campaigns and action against rogue waste operators. Guests will include:
Panel 1 (14.00 – 15.10)
- Dr Anna Scott, Director of Services, Keep Britain Tidy
- Casey Dalton, CEO, Harrow Litter Pickers
- Dr Helen Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester
Panel 2 (15.15 – 16.15)
- Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs, CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management)
- Barry Russell MBE, Regulated Industry Environment Manager, Environment Agency
- Bob Mead, National Lead on waste enforcement, Environment Agency
The meeting will take place in the Chamber at City Hall on Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 2pm.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- [UK Government Fly-tipping statistics for England, 2024 to 2025]
- Gareth Roberts AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Environment Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Daniel Zikmund in the Assembly Media Office on 07860647577 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.