Manchester City Council announces new plans to tackle fly-tipping and litter by 2035

Manchester City Council has formally approved a long-term Fly-Tipping and Litter Strategy aimed at saving public money, creating cleaner neighbourhoods and reducing the improper disposal of waste.

Developed with extensive input from residents, partners, businesses and schools, the strategy sets out a nine‑year framework backed by targeted enforcement, service improvements and behaviour‑change campaigns to drive significant impact for thousands of Mancunians.

The council removes litter and detritus as part of its scheduled services and in 2024-25 responded to 6,563 reports of dust, dirt, or litter. In the same period, a total of 11,952 fines were issued for littering.

Fly-tipping also continues to be an issue that millions are working hard to successfully eradicate. Nationally, England saw 1.15 million incidents in 2023/24), a 6% increase, with household waste accounting for more than 60% of cases.

In Manchester, the city recorded 14,963 fly‑tipping incidents in 2024/25, placing it mid‑range nationally but still below cities like Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol. Fly-tipping in Manchester usually occurs on roads and pavements (59%) and alleyways (22%).

The Fly-tipping and Litter Strategy is also heavily influenced by the Council’s Our Manchester Strategy and will be formally launched in March 2026 to coincide with the beginning of the Great British Spring Clean, signalling the Council’s commitment to creating cleaner, safer and greener neighbourhoods for everyone.

Proposed solutions include:

Increasing Pride and Personal Responsibility

This area focuses on encouraging residents to take pride in their neighbourhoods, particularly in alleyways and other shared spaces. Actions include local beautification projects, involving community leaders, supporting community-led clean‑ups, encouraging businesses to keep shop fronts tidy, and celebrating the efforts of volunteers to build long-term engagement.

Participation, Education and Engagement

This theme centres on working together to support communities in tackling fly-tipping and litter and includes actions such as targeted communication and education to shift behaviours around waste. Campaigns are tailored to specific groups, signage is used at key moments, such as immediately after fly‑tipping is cleared, and social media helps amplify the message within local online communities.

Landlord Accountability

By using licensing schemes and improved communication, the aim is to reduce waste linked to rented properties. Guidance for landlords, agents and tenants supports better waste practices and reduces the chances of fly-tipping.

Visible Enforcement Action

Making enforcement more visible helps demonstrate that waste offences have consequences. This includes using crime-scene‑style tape, stencils to show community impact, publicising prosecutions, and making it easier for witnesses to provide evidence safely.

Cut Off the Waste Supply to Rogue Traders
This strand focuses on stopping rogue waste carriers by educating householders about their responsibilities, targeting illegal adverts, offering legitimate disposal options, and promoting accredited traders.

Build Our Circular Economy and Reduce Waste
By supporting initiatives that encourage repairing, borrowing, and reusing, the community can reduce waste at the source. Examples include repair cafés, Libraries of Things, and campaigns that promote thoughtful purchasing.