Eight of the worst fly-tipping sites in Brighton and Hove are being cleared up.
The council is also promising measures to prevent further dumping as part of an operation to improve council estates.
Brighton and Hove City Council said that it was carrying out the clean up in a race against time.
It said that it was aiming to remove dumped items, including TVs, fridges, washing machines and even an old BT truck, before birds started nesting at the end of the month.
It said that changes in boundary fencing had created havens for illegal fly-tipping as had a number of hard to reach areas.
This was exacrebated by the council not having a service to remove rubbish on a large scale.
But in October the council came up with a clear-up project to focus on the removal of bulk waste.
It also began using physical preventative measures on large historic sites identified across the city on council housing land to ensure value for money and long term sustainability.
Eight sites were identified within the Selsfield Drive management area of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean.
Contractors have been told though that if they see any wildlife during clearance work, they should continue their work away from the area.
The council said that it was reinstating boundary fences and would work with tenants to take ownership of the land as part of the tenancy.
Work has begun at the largest site and most difficult to access in Ashurst Road where tenants have traditionally disposed of rubbish on a steep banked shrub area.
A hoist system is being used to gain access and remove the waste.
The other sites are in Newick Road, Southall Avenue, Moulsecoomb Way, Oakendean flats, Ringmer Drive, Ringmer Close and Chailey Road.
Councillor Maria Caulfield, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on neighbourhoods and is unacceptable on council housing estates.
“Only a very small minority of tenants fly tip but this ruins it for everyone else and we will seek to prosecute anyone who we catch illegally disposing of rubbish.
“This project is about improving council estates for residents and putting in place measures to prevent future tipping as unfortunately it means rent money much needed to improve homes is used to clear-up someone else’s rubbish.”
