The tougher fines would cover everything from illegal fly-tipping of DIY waste to dumping toxic materials.

BBC: Rubbish dumped by a sign that reads "No Dumping"

Yvonne Lister, of clay company Imerys, said there had been a steady rise in illegal fly-tipping on its land, over the last two to three years.

BBC: Imerys land

But she added that there were other problems to tackle, including fly-tipping and illegal off-road driving.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | North East Wales | Appeal to tackle wildlife crime

It was a chance visit (prompted by her errant dog, Xena) to an illegal dumping ground by the Bronx River that proved to be Carter's environmental tipping point.

CNN: Blazing a green trail through the Bronx