Oxford in the top 30 for hazardous fly-tipping in England

The figures, released by Oxford waste collection experts BusinessWaste.co.uk, highlight the scale of illegal waste dumping in the region, raising concerns about public health and environmental impact.

A total of 109,015 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in the South East in 2024/25.

Of these, 1,923 involved hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, oil, or clinical waste, posing significant risks to the environment and public safety.

Mark Hall, an Oxford-based waste collection expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “All illegal waste dumping is damaging to the environment and local community, but hazardous waste is particularly concerning as it contains toxic, persistent, or reactive materials.

“Substances such as asbestos, oils, chemicals, and fuel are not only more toxic but also often require specialist handling and disposal.

“When dumped illegally, they can contaminate soil and water, release harmful particles into the air, and create safety risks for both the public and council workers.”

The South East ranks fourth nationally for hazardous fly-tipping.

The most-affected area was Spelthorne, recording 104 hazardous waste incidents.

In contrast, Adur and Folkestone and Hythe recorded no such incidents.

Mr Hall said: “If you come across any kind of fly-tipping, keep your distance, don’t disturb it, and immediately report it to the council.”