Environment Agency launches consultation on waste charges

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on waste charges and is encouraged the waste, water and farming sectors to have their say.

The Environment Agency is consulting on new regulatory charges for specific waste activities as well as updating existing charging regimes from April 2025.

The ten-week consultation will consider a waste levy which will enable the Environment Agency to increase waste enforcement activity by around 30 per cent; new and updated hourly rates to ensure they can continue to recover the costs of regulatory activities; a waste fee for intervention to recover the cost of regulation where operators lack authorisation; and registration and compliance charges for waste exemptions.

The Environment Agency has reported that England’s waste management industry generates nearly £7 billion annually, but organised criminals are involved om illegal waste activities which cause over £1 billion in damages each year.

Steve Molyneux, deputy director of waste and resources regulation at the Environment Agency, said: "It’s our job to be fair and transparent with the businesses we regulate for the work we do.

"Waste exemption abuse across industry sectors, increasing costs of regulation and illegal waste activity, is making it harder to meet the cost of these challenges.

"Our proposals will see more investment in our services, which is crucial in protecting legitimate businesses, tackling waste crime and reducing environmental damage. We encourage interested parties to respond to help shape the future of their industry."