The new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act was fast-tracked before Parliament was dissolved on Monday.

It gives local authorities and the Environment Agency a range of new powers, including changes to fly-tipping laws.

Maximum fines for fly-tipping have been increased from £20,000 to £50,000.

There will also be a maximum jail sentence of five years.

New "on-the-spot" fines, likely to come into force in April 2006, will also mean the council will be able to enforce businesses dispose of their waste properly.

Sue Kent, Oxfordshire County Council's waste reduction officer, said: "Businesses must make sure they keep the correct paperwork to prove they have contracted an approved waste contractor to recycle or dispose of their waste.

"We realise many businesses do not know about duty of care and we will work hard to let businesses know about these requirements over the next 12 months.

"When 'on the spot fines' come in we don't want businesses to be caught out."