Greenwich Council’s £5m Campaign to Tackle Fly-tipping

Key Points

• Greenwich Council announces a £5 million campaign to tackle illegal fly-tipping across the borough.
• The campaign includes doubling enforcement teams, installation of new CCTV cameras, and a public reward scheme.
• Offenders will be named and shamed as part of the enforcement.
• The campaign is part of a larger £60 million one-off funding package aimed at overall borough improvements.
• Council leader Councillor Anthony Okereke condemns fly-tipping as “lazy and criminal” and highlights the cost to residents.
• The spending is financed through one-off funds from developers, government grants, and other windfalls, not regular council income.
• The council plans to improve bulky waste collection services, though details remain unspecified.
• Past cuts to environmental services affected fly-tipping taskforce teams and street sweeping, impacting the borough’s waste management.
• Opposition voices criticised the delay in prioritising fly-tipping enforcement.

What is the scope of Greenwich Council’s £5 million anti-fly-tipping campaign?

As reported by Greenwich Wire, Greenwich Council has committed £5 million to a comprehensive crackdown on fly-tipping crimes in the borough, a move designed to curb illegal waste dumping and maintain cleanliness across the area. This campaign will span over the next four and a half years, employing a multi-faceted approach including:

• Doubling the size of enforcement teams responsible for tackling fly-tipping hotspots.
• Installing new CCTV cameras to monitor and catch offenders.
• Introducing a public reward scheme for residents who help secure prosecutions.
• Naming and shaming those caught fly-tipping to deter future offences.

This initiative is part of a broader £60 million fund allocated to various improvements in Greenwich, which includes enhanced community safety and cultural strategies.​

Why is Greenwich Council investing heavily in this issue now?

Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, emphasised the severity of fly-tipping, calling it “lazy and criminal” and stating firmly, “We’re not putting up with this s*** anymore.” He highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that the council collects about 841 tonnes of dumped rubbish each year, costing residents over £800,000 annually—equivalent to the weight of 50 double decker buses. Okereke expressed frustration shared by both the council and residents, citing clear community outcry against persistent fly-tipping.​

This investment also reflects political urgency with local elections approaching in May, where previous failures to manage fly-tipping contributed to Labour losing some ward support. The ruling Labour group recognizes that addressing environmental cleanliness is crucial to regain residents’ trust and improve the borough’s image.​

How will the funds be sourced and allocated across the borough?

The £5 million for the anti-fly-tipping campaign comes from one-off funds, including financial contributions from developers, government grants, land sales, and other occasional windfalls. These funds are distinct from the council’s regular operating budget, allowing this investment despite ongoing spending cuts and pressures on regular income streams.

Earlier in October 2025, the council’s cabinet approved this funding alongside other significant allocations: £2.2 million for the town centres of Greenwich, Woolwich, and Eltham; £4.3 million dedicated to strengthening community safety officers; £8 million for road resurfacing; and substantial sums for special needs education facilities. Details on some projects remain under wraps as the council strategically times announcements.​

What measures are included in improving waste services?

The council is also set to enhance bulky waste collection services, currently costing residents £13.31 per item. Although specifics have not been disclosed, improvements aim to make it easier and more affordable for residents to dispose of large items legally, potentially reducing fly-tipping incentives. This contrasts with neighbouring Lewisham, which recently cut its bulky waste collection charge from £14 to £5.​

Past budget cuts under previous administrations saw significant reductions in taskforce teams that focused on fly-tipping and less frequent street sweeping, which worsened the problem. The council now acknowledges the need to rebuild these services as part of the broader anti-fly-tipping effort.​

What criticisms or challenges does the council face regarding this campaign?

Conservative councillor Charlie Davis, deputy leader of the opposition for Eltham Town, criticised Labour’s previous rejection of budget amendments aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping, stating that half a year has been lost without prioritisation of these issues. This criticism highlights political contention around resource allocation and the urgency of the campaign.​

Additionally, the council faces the challenge of maintaining public confidence given that some environmental service cuts, such as charging for garden waste collection and reduced street sweeping, have yet to be fully implemented, causing uncertainty over the council’s commitment to cleanliness.​

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has launched a well-funded, multi-year campaign against fly-tipping, framed by Council Leader Anthony Okereke as a firm crackdown on illegal and irresponsible dumping. The campaign involves expanded enforcement, technology upgrades, public engagement through rewards, and service improvements funded by one-off financial boosts, all aimed at addressing resident concerns and electoral challenges. However, the campaign also faces opposition scrutiny and the ongoing difficulty of reversing past service cuts while managing budget pressures.