Crime, Dorset | Posted on June 3rd, 2026 | return to news

Dorset campaign to tackle green waste fly tipping

The Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime is encouraging residents and contractors to dispose of garden waste responsibly.

With the gardening season in full swing, people are being urged not to dump green waste across Dorset.

A campaign launched by the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime (DPARC) brings together partners including the Office of Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Dorset Police, the Environment Agency, Dorset Council, BCP Council, and Forestry England to encourage residents and contractors to dispose of garden waste responsibly.

Authorities are reminding householders that they have a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is disposed of correctly. Fly-tipping of grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, branches and other garden waste can damage wildlife habitats, block rural roads and gateways, increase fire risk and place a significant burden on landowners and taxpayers.

The campaign will raise awareness of the environmental and financial impact of green waste fly-tipping while promoting legal disposal options, including council garden waste services, household recycling centres and licensed waste carriers.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It blights our countryside, harms wildlife and creates unnecessary costs for communities and landowners.

“Ahead of the busy summer gardening season, this campaign is an important reminder that everyone has a responsibility to dispose of waste properly. By working together with our partners, we can help protect Dorset’s rural environment and take action against those who continue to dump waste illegally.”

Chris Burch, one of Dorset Council’s Waste Enforcement officers, said: “An increasing percentage of the fly-tips reported to us are garden waste that has been fly-tipped on roadside verges and gateways. This is often small amounts of waste that could have been disposed of for free at our Household Recycling Centres, or disposed of in a kerbside garden waste bin which Dorset Council provides via subscription. Home composting is also a low-cost option.

“Fly-tipped garden waste can cause harm to grazing livestock. It can also risk the introduction of non-native species in areas of scientific importance, as well as looking unsightly.

“Details of how to deal with green waste and other domestic items is readily available on the Dorset Council website.”

Residents are being encouraged to:

Use licensed waste carriers and ask for waste transfer documentation where appropriate
Check that contractors removing garden waste are registered legally
Use council garden waste collections or recycling centres
Report incidents of fly-tipping to local authorities or Dorset Police

Both the councils and Dorset Police say enforcement action will continue against offenders, with agencies sharing intelligence and working collaboratively to identify those responsible for rural waste crime.

For more information on how to dispose of garden waste responsibly, residents can visit the website: https://www.countrywatchdorset.co.uk/fly-tipping.