Lewisham Council offers grants to tackle fly-tipping
Residents can apply for £200 to £1,000 to fund community projects aimed at reducing waste issues.
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Lewisham Council has launched a new programme to provide microgrants of between £200 and £1,000 to residents and community groups for projects aimed at tackling fly-tipping and waste issues across the borough. The application window for these grants closes on 27 November 2026.
Scale of the problem
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The initiative addresses a significant problem in Lewisham. A DEFRA report from last year recorded 33,471 fly-tipping incidents in the borough, placing it third highest in the country behind Croydon and Camden. This year, Lewisham Council reported 43,000 incidents and has allocated over £1 million to combat the issue.
Green Party Councillor Corin Ashwell, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, stated that residents are tired of rubbish on their streets. He described the clean-up as a shared responsibility and highlighted the council's efforts to improve services, including hiring additional crews and focusing on problem areas identified by residents.
Grant details and next steps
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The microgrants can be used for various purposes, including community clean-ups, neighbourhood action, small greening projects, equipment for community benefit, and local artwork. The grant amount will be determined by the project's scale, with individual residents eligible for smaller amounts and larger community projects for higher funds. Applicants are expected to be notified of their success around the start of the new year, with project completion anticipated by the end of May 2027.
The Love Lewisham programme, which includes these microgrants, was first announced in June 2026. The programme's website also provides resources for reporting fly-tipping, booking bulky item collections, and information on community gardening and proper bin usage. In December 2025, the council reduced charges for bulky waste collections to encourage responsible disposal.
Questions this report answers
+What is Lewisham Council offering to tackle fly-tipping?
Lewisham Council is offering microgrants ranging from £200 to £1,000 to residents and community groups. These funds are intended to support projects that help address fly-tipping and other local waste issues within the borough.
+How much fly-tipping is happening in Lewisham?
Lewisham faces a significant fly-tipping problem. A DEFRA report last year recorded 33,471 incidents, making it the third highest in the country. This year, the council reported 43,000 incidents and has spent over £1 million on tackling the issue.
+Who can apply for the microgrants and what can they be used for?
Applications are open to individual residents and larger community projects. The grants can fund activities such as community clean-ups, greening projects, local artwork, and practical initiatives directly addressing fly-tipping or neglect in neighbourhoods.
+When is the deadline for grant applications and when will projects be completed?
The deadline for submitting applications for the microgrants is 27 November 2026. Successful applicants will be informed around the start of the new year, and the projects themselves are expected to be completed by the end of May 2027.
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