Newport has seen a concerning rise in fly-tipping incidents, making it the most problematic area for this illegal activity in Wales, as per data released by the Welsh Government. The city experienced the highest number of fly-tipping cases in both 2023 and 2024, totaling 8,139 instances – a figure that surpasses Cardiff by 37 percent.
Although the numbers slightly decreased to 7,318 in 2024 and 2025, it still reflects a 17 percent increase compared to 2022. Residents have expressed little surprise at these statistics, noting a significant 63 percent surge in fly-tipping in Newport since 2019.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently expressed his endorsement for the Great British Spring Clean initiative in an article for the Mirror in April, commending the campaign for its efforts to combat fly-tipping and reclaim public spaces from these irresponsible actions.
Reports obtained through a freedom of information request unveiled that in 2024, Newport City Council issued only 124 fines despite investigating approximately 7,300 reports. During the same period, only 10 fly-tipping incidents in Newport led to successful prosecutions, according to findings by WalesOnline.
Newport Council stated that they stepped up enforcement actions, issuing 313 fines between April 2024 and March 2025, a notable increase from the previous year. They also prosecuted 10 cases during this time, compared to four in the preceding year, marking a 23.6 percent rise in enforcement actions that might have contributed to the surge in reported cases.
Residents in the village of Peterstone, like landscape gardener Rhys Warrilow, expressed their lack of surprise regarding the fly-tipping crisis, highlighting the persistent dumping of various waste materials in the area. Rhys attributed the increase in fly-tipping to reduced access to council tips due to stricter rules post-Covid and less frequent black bin collections in Newport.
Newport Council defended the shift to three-weekly household and garden waste pickups as a move to meet recycling targets, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal to avoid heavy fines imposed by the Welsh Government. The council urged residents to maximize recycling efforts to minimize non-recyclable waste, emphasizing the community’s responsibility in achieving higher recycling rates.
Despite efforts to combat fly-tipping, challenges persist in villages like Peterstone, where illegal dumping remains rampant despite warning signs and security measures. Residents recounted alarming incidents of hazardous waste dumping and expressed concerns about the environmental and social impacts of such actions on their community.
Newport Council reported an increase in fines and warnings issued for fly-tipping and waste-related offenses, signaling ongoing efforts to tackle this issue. Councillor Yvonne Forsey emphasized the council’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards fly-tipping, aiming to sustain the downward trend in incidents through enhanced enforcement measures and community engagement.
