London boroughs Merton and Westminster have topped a list of English councils with the highest rates of construction-related fly-tipping incidents.
Analysis by demolition waste company BusinessWaste.co.uk showed the boroughs had 2,862 and 2,692 construction/demolition/excavation incidents respectively in 2024/2025. These were 19% and 13% of total illegal waste dumping incidents for the period.
The rankings were based on construction incidents per 10,000 people, with Merton having 130 and Westminster 128. Despite ranking third, Lewisham recorded the most total construction-related incidents with 3,705 in the period.
London boroughs dominated the top rankings, with only Pendle in the north west ranking in the top 10.
BusinessWaste.co.uk director Mark Hall said: “The illegal dumping of construction, demolition and excavation waste is particularly concerning because it often contains large quantities, can include hazardous materials, and is difficult and expensive to remove. Large incidents can require specialist vehicles and equipment to clear, increasing the cost to councils and the public.
“Not only this, but it can be dangerous for the local community, often dumped in places where it can obstruct paths or roads; improperly dumped waste can also contaminate soil and water, damaging the local environment.”
The BusinessWaste.co.uk analysis of government data found seven local authorities had no recorded construction, demolition or excavation incidents:
- Cannock Chase
- Folkestone and Hythe
- Isles of Scilly
- Nottingham
- Oadby and Wigston
- Tameside
- West Lancashire
