More than 85,000 complaints about landfill odours were recorded across Great Britain between 2022 and 2025, according to freedom of information data obtained by BusinessWaste.co.uk.
Environmental regulators in England, Scotland and Wales recorded 85,676 complaints over the four-year period, equivalent to an average of 21,419 a year. Northern Ireland was not included because its regulator said compiling the information would exceed cost limits.
England accounted for 76,802 complaints, while Wales recorded 6,806 and Scotland 2,068.
Odours can prevent residents from opening windows, using gardens or spending time in local parks. Prolonged exposure to unpleasant smells has also been linked to temporary symptoms including headaches, nausea, loss of appetite and sleep disruption.
The smells are often caused by gases released as waste breaks down. Hydrogen sulphide, produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen, is commonly associated with a rotten egg smell.
Ammonia can be released from food, manure and garden waste while volatile organic compounds can come from materials including solvents, paints, paper and household chemicals.
Mercaptans, produced during the breakdown of sulphur-containing proteins, can smell like rotten cabbage or garlic.
Odours can become stronger when fresh waste is exposed, landfill gas escapes or weather conditions trap emissions close to the ground.
Operators can reduce problems by covering waste more frequently, shrinking active tipping areas, repairing gas leaks and restricting certain deliveries. They can also change working patterns during unfavourable weather, although suppressants and neutralising treatments do not tackle the source.
BusinessWaste.co.uk said the long-term answer is to divert more material from landfill through reuse, repair and recycling.
Government reforms including Simpler Recycling, extended producer responsibility and the planned deposit return scheme are intended to improve waste separation and reduce contamination.
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