UK fly-tippers say they can make over $2,600 a day: 'Once we dump it, it's not our problem'

Two people illegally dumping rubbish in the United Kingdom said they could earn £2,000 ($2,680) in a single day while leaving mattresses and furniture around housing estates.

"Once we dump it, it's not our problem," one said.

Here's what to know

Sky News (@skynews) correspondent Dan Whitehead followed the pair as they showed him locations where they dump waste almost daily.

They left two mattresses at a housing estate.

In a group chat, members share locations and pass jobs to one another, though the two declined to name the app when asked whether they used WhatsApp. The pair said this private group supplied them with rubbish-removal jobs every day.

One described the potential earnings from a good day's work: "Couple of grand, mate, if we do it properly."

More background

England recorded 1.26 million reported fly-tipping (aka illegal dumping) incidents in 2024-25, a 9% increase over the previous year.

Sky News said London had the highest rate, averaging 53 cases per 1,000 people. Household waste accounted for 62% of incidents.

A sofa, fridge, and chair were among the belongings left near bins at a site Whitehead visited. One resident, Frank O'Connor, said it was frustrating that somebody was making money at other people's expense.

"This is what makes people really angry, seeing this, cuz it brings a place down," Whitehead said. "People will be really upset to see that."

Resident Lesley Byrne said the perpetrators were "bums" who were "inconsiderate" and "antisocial."

What can be done?

Though the pair agreed to show Whitehead their regular dumping locations, they did not allow Sky News to film the back of their van. They said there were numerous places where they could dump waste without being spotted by cameras.

"It's discreet," they said. "It's a dark spot. It's a blind spot. It's near the bins."

Asked whether the dumping bothered them, one of the pair said: "No, mate, not at all. What they don't know won't hurt them as long as they think their rubbish is being put somewhere."

Whitehead asked if they felt guilty about angering residents or bypassing legitimate waste companies.

"No guilt at all, mate," one answered. "We like doing it."

They also offered a disheartening defense to the people who might ask them to reconsider.

"I have to say if it's not me, it'll be somebody else," one explained.

Where can I learn more?

Other communities are also dealing with dumped waste and the cost of clearing it away. 

• In England, landfill taxes hit £126 a tonne as fly-tipping reached 1.26 million incidents.

• In Philadelphia, 14,000 tons of dumped trash left taxpayers with nearly $9 million in costs.

• In Alberta, illegal dumpers could face $1 million fines and up to six months in jail.

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