Redbridge Council is stepping up its fight against fly-tipping with a major new campaign called ‘Crime Not To Care’ aimed at tackling the borough’s waste problem.
Last year, Redbridge Council cleared an alarming 21,161 fly-tips across the borough. The council’s Street Cleansing Team also removed 4,620 tonnes of waste from the streets, including litter and illegally dumped rubbish – the equivalent weight of around 355 London Routemaster double-decker buses. The ongoing issue of fly-tipping is not just an environmental concern but also a financial burden. Clearing fly-tips costs the council valuable funds that could have been spent on essential public services such as education and housing.
“If we as residents don’t take ownership of our streets and help the council to make our borough cleaner and safer, it just won’t happen.”- Rayla Begum, Goodmayes resident
Fly-tipping has a significant negative impact on the community. It obstructs pavements, making it difficult for people to navigate the streets safely, particularly wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals, and parents with prams or young children. The presence of illegally dumped waste also makes neighbourhoods appear unkempt and less desirable, affecting the overall quality of life for residents. Furthermore, fly-tipping attracts vermin such as rats and mice, which pose health risks to the public.
Despite the availability of various waste disposal resources in Redbridge, black sacks of household waste remain one of the most common types of illegally dumped rubbish. In response, the council has launched the ‘Crime Not To Care’ campaign in partnership with leading environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. This long-term initiative is designed to encourage people to take responsibility for their waste and ensure it is disposed of properly to avoid legal repercussions.
The campaign will include a range of community engagement activities and events to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management. Residents will be informed about the services available to them, helping them to dispose of waste legally and responsibly. The initiative will also highlight the consequences of fly-tipping, including potential fines, legal action, and the risk of receiving a criminal record. Targeted enforcement action will be carried out in fly-tipping hotspots, with council officers working to identify and penalise offenders. Additionally, the campaign will promote ways for residents to report fly-tipping, ensuring swift action is taken against those who break the law.

Over the coming months, residents will see ‘Crime Not To Care’ posters, initiatives, and engagement events across Redbridge. The council will also conduct targeted operations in areas where high volumes of black sack waste have been illegally dumped. By increasing enforcement efforts and promoting waste disposal resources, the campaign aims to make a lasting impact on the borough’s cleanliness.
Rayla Begum, a resident of Goodmayes, has witnessed the effects of fly-tipping firsthand. She shared her frustration, stating: “My street is part of my home. It upsets me and my children when we have to walk past piles of spilling black bags on our way to school. It makes our neighbourhood look dirty, unsafe, and unpleasant.”
She believes that addressing the issue requires a joint effort between residents and the council: “It’s not realistic for the council to patrol every street in the borough every day. Instead, we need to educate ourselves on how to dispose of waste responsibly and share that knowledge. If we all make a conscious effort, we can keep our borough clean and tidy.”
Rayla also encourages residents to take an active role in reporting fly-tipping when they witness it. “At the very least, we should be reporting fly-tippers or sharing evidence with the council, such as registration plates or security footage.”
To support the initiative, Redbridge Council will continue to promote the waste disposal services available to residents, ensuring that disposing of rubbish correctly is both accessible and straightforward.
The ‘Crime Not To Care’ campaign sends a clear message that illegal waste dumping is unacceptable. By working together, the council and the community can make Redbridge a cleaner, safer, and more pleasant place to live. Taking ownership of our waste and acting responsibly can ensure that fly-tipping becomes a thing of the past. It is a collective effort, and when it comes to keeping Redbridge clean, it truly is a ‘Crime Not To Care’.