Fly‑tipping is a blight on Kent’s streets, countryside and public spaces, placing pressure on local services and causing frustration for residents who see the same locations becoming known hotspots for repeated fly-tipping.
As the waste disposal authority for Kent, KCC processed around 2,500 tonnes of fly-tipped waste in 2024/25 at a cost of around £345,000.
The conference will unite organisations responsible for collecting waste, disposing of it safely, and investigating and prosecuting offences, with the aim of strengthening joint working and improving consistency across the system.
“When fly‑tipping is allowed to persist in the same places, there is a real risk it becomes normalised.”
Leader of Kent County Council, Linden Kemkaran, said: “Fly‑tipping is more than an environmental nuisance – it is illegal behaviour that scars neighbourhoods, damages our countryside and places a real financial burden on the people of Kent. Every time waste is dumped, council taxpayers end up paying for its safe removal and disposal, which takes money away from services communities rely on.
“When fly‑tipping is allowed to persist in the same places, there is a real risk it becomes normalised. That is unacceptable for residents who take pride in where they live, and it sends the wrong message to those who think they can dump waste without consequence.
“Tackling this problem properly means recognising that responsibility sits across the whole system. Different organisations collect waste, dispose of it, investigate offences and bring prosecutions – and by working together more effectively, we can make a stronger, more positive difference for our communities.
“This conference is about strong, collective leadership. By bringing partners together, we can amplify the work already underway, share intelligence and agree practical actions that strengthen enforcement, disrupt repeat offending and reduce the cost and harm of fly‑tipping across Kent. By joining together in this way, we can turn that shared commitment into stronger, more consistent action on the ground and better outcomes for the people we serve.
Kent County Council will use the outcomes to shape future partnership working and coordinated action across the county.
ENDS
