Environmental enforcement

• do not touch the waste
• try to determine what the waste is and how much there is
• make a note of its exact location
• do not disturb the site – it may contain evidence that could help identify the offenders

If you see someone fly-tipping, try to make a note of:

• the day, date and time
• what they looked like
• any vehicles involved (and their make, colour and registration number)

• As a resident, you have a legal obligation to make sure your waste is disposed of properly. For normal household rubbish and recycling, use these services:
  • weekly rubbish and recycling collections
  • communal bins for estates and blocks of flats
  • bulky waste collections for large items
  • household waste and recycling centres

We do not collect building or DIY waste including tiles, carpet, rubble or fencing.

You or your builder must arrange for it to be collected by a licensed waste carrier. It is your responsibility to ensure that the waste carrier hired is registered with the Environment Agency:

• always ask whether they are a registered waste carrier
• ask for their waste carrier number to verify details
• ask for a waste transfer note – this must be given

If you own or run a business in Hackney, you must make arrangements for your commercial waste to be collected by a registered waste carrier. You have a responsibility to ensure that:

• you have an appropriate waste collection agreement to get rid of your business waste
• you prevent the escape of your business waste (which can cause a nuisance to local residents)
• your business waste is transferred to a registered waste carrier for disposal who provides you with a waste transfer note (WTN) or receipt as evidence of waste disposal
• you keep records of your WTN or receipt for a minimum period of 2 years and can provide it if we ask for it (businesses disposing of waste who fail to provide waste transfer notes for a period of covering 2 years may be prosecuted or issued with a £300 penalty notice)
• you put out your waste for collection following rules for the road which your business is on
• if you own empty land, you must make sure it is secured and not easily accessible by the public

Dumping waste without permission (fly-tipping) is a serious criminal offence. You can be fined up to £50,000 and receive a prison sentence.

It is also an offence to let someone else fly-tip or illegally dump waste for you. 

If you arrange for waste to be removed, check the contractor’s duty of care notice which lets them dispose of rubbish legally.

We can prosecute anyone caught dumping waste:

• we can prosecute people controlling vehicles used to dump waste, and seize vehicles used in fly-tipping offences. This means that it is possible to prosecute even if the driver of the vehicle cannot be identified
• we can also issue warnings and fixed penalty notices for less serious cases of fly-tipping

When reporting illegal street trading, let us know:

• the location of the street trading
• what kind of trading it is and what is being sold
• the type of obstruction of the highway (for example if there are tables or stands)
• the times of trading, and how long the street trading has been going on
• who might be responsible (for example, if you know the name of the business)

Some mechanics and businesses use the public highway as an extension of their garages and for vehicle sales.
 

This can cause a nuisance to local residents and it takes up car parking spaces. Repairing vehicles on the street can also look unsightly, cause local environment damage and can be dangerous for others.

If you need to report illegal vehicle repairs and sales, try to find out:

• how many people are involved
• descriptions of vehicles involved (used or repaired)
• how often it is happening
• types of vehicles involved
• registration details
• how many vehicles are for sale

In cases of unlicensed street trading, materials can be seized, including perishable items. Offenders can be prosecuted or get a £150 fixed penalty fine.
 

Those who break street trading licence conditions may be prosecuted or get a £100 penalty.
 

We investigate reports of illegal vehicle repairs or sales, to determine if it causes annoyance, or is part of a business illegally operating on the public highway.
 

We recognise that some people consider that street art makes a positive contribution to the urban environment. If your property has a piece of street art or a mural on it, you must contact us to let us know that you would like to keep it.

We'll remove street art or graffiti if we believe it spoils the local environment or stops people enjoying the area. When deciding to allow it or not, we consider if it is:

• offensive, gang related, insulting or against public interest
• likely to encourage more graffiti or tagging
• inappropriate for the location or out of keeping with the surrounding area
• a cause of complaints to the council
• on a listed building or in a conservation area
• libellous or potentially libellous
• intimidating

We remove all graffiti below head height:

• on council owned property
• any property that is offensive – we may need to get permission

If your property has been graffitied, we can possibly remove it for a charge.

If you're considering commissioning a new mural or a piece of street art on your property you must contact us to check that it will not breach our graffiti policy

We recognise that some people consider that street art makes a positive contribution to the urban environment. If your property has a piece of street art or a mural on it, you must contact us to let us know that you would like to keep it.

We will remove street art or graffiti if we believe it spoils the local environment or prevents people from enjoying the area. When deciding whether to allow it, we consider whether it is:

• offensive, gang related, insulting or against public interest
• likely to encourage more graffiti or tagging
• inappropriate for the location or out of keeping with the surrounding area
• a cause of complaints to the Council
• on a listed building or in a conservation area
• libellous or potentially libellous
• Intimidating

If you are considering commissioning a new mural or a piece of street art on your property you must contact us to check that it will not breach our graffiti policy.

We introduced a dog control Public Spaces Protection Order under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This makes it an offence in Hackney not to pick up your dog's poo.

You may get a £100 penalty and/or prosecution with a maximum fine up to £1,000 if you do not comply with the order.

People who are registered as blind, disabled, or otherwise rely on dogs, are exempt from this order

If you report dog poo to us, we'll investigate within 48 hours. 

Our street wardens, park rangers, the dog warden and our estate managers enforce the rules on cleaning up after dogs.

Where dog pooing is a major problem, we make high visibility patrols and leaflet the street and the surrounding area. We also place warning signs in the area to tell dog owners they need to clean up after their pet.

Our estate managers investigate people not picking up after their dogs on council-owned land. We issue fixed penalty notices or start prosecution proceedings for repeat offenders.

Parks and recreational staff manage first-time offences.

We will take formal action for continued offences – this may include issuing fixed penalty notices or prosecution for repeat offenders.

You should always try to attend an organised event rather than having an individual bonfire. 

We do not normally take formal action in relation to bonfires held for religious or cultural celebrations, unless they cause a particular nuisance. 

We have special waste collection arrangements for Passover.

You should first talk to the person who started the fire, explain your concerns and ask them to put it out.

Call 020 8356 4455 or email pollutionsupport@hackney.gov.uk if they refuse to put it out and the fire continues to be a nuisance.

If the fire is still burning, we will visit the location to see whether it is causing, or is likely to cause, a nuisance.

If it is causing a nuisance, we can serve an 'abatement notice' under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Not obeying a notice can lead to prosecution and a fine.

If the bonfire is on an industrial, commercial or construction site, it may be an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993. This could lead to prosecution and a fine.

You can also take your own direct action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by placing a complaint in the magistrates’ court.

• composting is the best way of getting rid of garden rubbish or shredded wood – it’s great for your garden too
• you can get garden waste collections from the council
• our bulky waste service is also available for all Hackney residents

Let us know:

• the location of the fly-posting
• the day, date and time you saw the fly-posting
• what the people fly-posting were doing and what they looked like
• any vehicles involved (their make, colour and registration number)

Business owners should make sure their customers and employees do not drop litter in the area of their premises. This can include providing suitable bins and displaying posters (on the premises) promoting responsible behaviour. Business owners who do not take measures to tackle littering associated with their premises can face enforcement action under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.