Fly-tipping in Liverpool and your duty of care
What Liverpool does about fly-tipping and what you must do when someone takes your waste, checked against Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority pages on 29 October 2026.
- Liverpool has an external enforcement team issuing fixed penalty notices
- A tiered fly-tipping penalty starting at £500 was reported in July 2025
- A May 2025 report said householders would keep facing £400 for breaching their duty of care
- Always check the carrier's registration number
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What the fines are
We couldn't find a single council page listing every amount, so these come from reports of council announcements. Liverpool Express reported in July 2025 that a tiered penalty system for fly-tipping had been introduced, starting at £500 and rising with severity. A May 2025 report on the proposals put the levels at £500, £750 and £1,000, and said householders who don't check that a waste removal company is registered would continue to face a £400 penalty for breaching their duty of care. In 2022 the Mayor of Liverpool said fly-tippers risk a £400 fine or legal action. Check the notice itself for the exact figure.
Who enforces
The council appointed an external team called WISE (Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement) to work across the city on fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling. It issues fixed penalty notices, and plans to target problem areas using intelligence and complaints, with body-worn cameras to verify offenders' details.
Your duty of care
If you hand your waste to someone, you are responsible for checking they are allowed to take it. The Mayor's message was that everyone should make sure anyone handling their waste is licensed to do so, and know where it will end up. The tips take household waste only, and trade waste is refused at Liverpool tips.
How to check a carrier
- Ask for their waste carrier registration number and check it on the Environment Agency register
- Ask where the waste is going
- Get a written price and a waste transfer note, and keep it
- Be wary of cash-only offers from adverts with no company name
Reporting
Fly-tipping can be reported through the council's website. Need a legitimate clear-out? See house clearance in Liverpool.