Environment Agency launches waste crime campaign
The Environment Agency has launched a campaign urging business and the public to help in the fight against waste crime.
Waste crime includes fly-tipping and environmental permit breaches.
It is estimated that waste crime costs the English economy around £1 billion a year.
In the year to September 2023, the Environment Agency has closed 518 illegal waste sites, brought 32 prosecutions against waste criminals and imposed fines and costs of over £580,000.
However, only 25 per cent of waste crime incidents are reported to the Environment Agency and the agency is urging people to report any waste crimes.
Emma Viner, enforcement & investigations manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Waste criminals’ toxic actions put us all in danger every time they break the law, which is why we need the help of everyone in the waste sector to drive them out of business.
"Just a quarter of waste crimes are reported to the Environment Agency, making it more difficult to know when and where we need to act. So, if you know or suspect illegal waste activity is taking place, you should tell us and we can continue our work to stop rogue operators and organised criminals in their tracks and force them to face justice."
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