Surrey records whopping 23,520 fly-tipping instances in the last year – hotspots revealed
Newly reported waste figures have highlighted that one area of Surrey has more than twice as much fly-tipping than anywhere else.
The borough of Reigate and Banstead recorded 3,283 fly-tipping incidents in the year ending March 2024, making it the worst area in Surrey for this kind of problem. The second-worst was Spelthorne with 1,400 incidents, and Guildford came in a close third with 1,354 incidents.
As a rubbish clearance company operating in Surrey and across these areas, we see these figures clearly show the scale of waste problems in the county, highlighting more than ever the importance of using licensed rubbish clearance services when getting rid of unwanted items.
Surrey fly-tipping figures by area
The reported figures show how many fly-tipping incidents were recorded by Surrey’s 11 local authorities in the year ending March 2024:
| Rank | Surrey local authority | Fly-tipping incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reigate and Banstead | 3,283 |
| 2 | Spelthorne | 1,400 |
| 3 | Runnymede | 1,362 |
| 4 | Guildford | 1,354 |
| 5 | Elmbridge | 1,297 |
| 6 | Woking | 1,137 |
| 7 | Tandridge | 959 |
| 8 | Waverley | 804 |
| 9 | Surrey Heath | 696 |
| 10 | Mole Valley | 625 |
| 11 | Epsom and Ewell | 423 |
Reigate and Banstead’s total is 134.5% more than Spelthorne, showing quite clearly it’s the fly-tipping hotspot in Surrey. This translates to 21 incidents per 1,000 people, compared with 9 per 1,000 in Guildford.
On top of this, the data does not accurately reflect the level of fly-tipping in any given area, as it excludes unreported incidents that are not relevant to the council, meaning the problem could be way worse.
What the figures mean for Surrey residents
Fly-tipping is not just a problem for the council. It affects local residents, businesses, landlords and property owners across Surrey.
Whether dumped waste includes black bags, mattresses, sofas, garden waste, builders’ waste, broken appliances, old furniture, or commercial rubbish, it can all lead to blocked roads, attract further dumping, cost the community more, and make neighbourhoods look untidy.
Fly-tipping can be carried out by people and businesses in the county who dispose of rubbish unresponsibly. But it can also happen when households pay for professional rubbish clearance, and they fail to comply with laws and regulations.
Why using a licensed rubbish clearance company matters
When you pay someone to take away rubbish, you need to know it will be handled correctly and responsibly. If your waste is later found dumped illegally, you could be asked to prove who collected it, which is why choosing a licensed and insured rubbish clearance company is critical.
Fly-tippers in Surrey can face fines up to £50,000 or a year in prison if convicted. Sentences might include unpaid community service or a disqualification from driving if they are found to use vehicles to transport illegal waste. For small-scale fly-tipping, councils can issue fixed penalty notices of up to £1,000.
A professional rubbish removal service like us will provide clear contact details and show their license number (Waste Carrier Licence: CBDU 501166).
Very cheap or cash-only waste collection can often be a red flag, especially if the collector can’t explain where the rubbish is going next.
Rubbish Clearance Surrey provides fast, local rubbish removal across Surrey, including Reigate, Banstead, Redhill, Horley, Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Weybridge, Camberley and surrounding areas.
What we collect:
- Household rubbish
- Garden waste
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Builders waste
- Office and commercial rubbish
- Soil and rubble
- End-of-tenancy waste
- Shed contents
- Mattresses
We offer a convenient alternative to skip hire, with prices starting from £40 and quotes available from photos. Text us your images.
