Rotherham Council has spent more than £175,000 since 2024 clearing fly-tipping and public waste from the borough, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The cost of dealing with illegally dumped rubbish is rising, with the burden ultimately falling on taxpayers, and central Rotherham, including the Eastwood area, has been particularly badly affected by the problem.

The FOI request found the council spent £175,548 between 2024 and 2026, with annual spending climbing from £78,973 in 2024/25 to £96,575 in 2025/26, a rise of almost £20,000. Central Rotherham accounted for the largest share, at £76,035.45 over the two years. Since 2019, 762 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to fly-tipping offenders, including 26 so far in 2026, with £27,750 paid to the council in fines since 2024. Separate 2024 figures showed almost a third of all fly-tipping offences in the borough, 2,071 cases, occurred in the Rotherham East ward.