The cost of clearing fly-tipped rubbish across Bradford is continuing to fall, according to newly released council figures.
Despite the downward trend, the authority still spent almost £260,000 dealing with dumped waste and litter patrol collections during the first four months of the current financial year.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request shows the local authority spent £258,900 between April and July 2026 dealing with waste dumped across the district.
The figures include both fly-tipped waste and rubbish collected by litter patrol teams.
The latest figures suggest the cost of clearing illegally dumped waste is continuing to fall, although taxpayers are still facing a substantial clean-up bill.
Clean-up costs continue downward trend
According to the FOI data, Bradford Council spent £933,507 on fly-tipping and litter patrol waste clearance in 2023, falling to £913,440 in 2024 and £885,308 in 2025.
Council officers have previously clarified that the figures include waste collected by litter patrol teams during their day-to-day work and are therefore not solely related to fly-tipping incidents.
The latest data forms part of the T&A's ongoing look at the impact of fly-tipping across the Bradford district since our fly-tipping campaign, earlier this year.
Efforts to tackle environmental crime have also seen enforcement teams carry out joint operations across the district.
In Great Horton last week, 38 vehicles were removed during a crackdown, while another vehicle linked to suspected waste-related offences was seized.
New system aims to crack down on waste criminals
The figures have emerged as the Government launches a major new initiative aimed at tackling waste crime.
From October 1, more than 12,000 permitted waste sites across England will be required to report every load of waste they receive through a new digital tracking system.
Known as the "Report Receipt of Waste" service, the scheme is designed to provide investigators with a digital audit trail and make it easier to identify suspicious activity and illegal dumping networks.
The Government says the system will help enforcement agencies spot discrepancies between reported collections and waste receipts, making it harder for rogue operators to hide behind false paperwork.
Last month Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to crack down on illegal waste dumping as he visited Bradford to announce new measures aimed and clearing the long-running Midland Road waste site.
Mr Burnham visited Grange Interlink Community Centre on Thursday, August 20, alongside Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle and Bradford West MP Naz Shah, where they met residents to discuss concerns about illegal dumping, fly-tipping and environmental issues affecting the area.
The Midland Road site was identified as one of three illegal waste dumps across England that will be prioritised for clearance under the latest Government initiative
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