HOW DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS FIGHTING BRITAIN’ S WASTE PROBLEM
IGM’ s Ben Leitch on the technology tackling Britain’ s growing fly-tipping crisis impacting almost every local authority across the nation. eyond the mess, the numbers
B sting. Councils estimate that cleaning up and investigating these offences drains between £ 100 million and £ 150 million from local budgets each year – money that could otherwise fund schools, libraries and care services.
But amid the anger, there’ s an opportunity for a technological turning point. Councils, environmental agencies and tech start-ups are deploying a suite of innovations, from AI-powered cameras to blockchain waste tracking, to fight back. The battle against fly-tipping is fast becoming a showcase of how data and digital tools can modernise one of Britain’ s dirtiest problems.
AI Cameras
Across the country, councils are installing AI-enabled CCTV towers to watch over flytipping hotspots. These units, often running on solar power and connected via 4G or 5G, use Machine Learning software to detect suspicious behaviour – like a van stopping in a lay-by late at night, doors opening and bulky items being unloaded. Within seconds, the system flags the footage to enforcement officers.
Some systems even integrate Automatic Number Plate Recognition( ANPR), logging vehicle details and linking them with DVLA data to identify offenders. This rapid response helps authorities act before evidence disappears and acts as a visible deterrent to would-be dumpers.
“ AI cameras have changed the game,” said Paul O’ Rourke, Waste Enforcement Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council.“ We’ re no longer reliant on chance sightings or next-day reports. The system notifies us in real time, and we can move fast.”
Companies like Clearway, WCCTV and Bi3 are leading the charge, offering mobile towers that councils can redeploy to new hotspots as needed. These systems can operate autonomously for weeks, using solar panels and remote connectivity.
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