Environment Agency counts the cost of waste crime

The Environment Agency's (EA) latest survey of informed stakeholders suggests that 18 per cent of all waste in England could be illegally managed.

The National Waste Crime Survey 2023 found that approximately 34 million tonnes of waste ends up in the hands of criminals. Research suggests this costs the English economy £1 billion every year through evaded tax, environmental and social harm and lost legitimate business.

Waste crime encompasses a range of illegal activities, including the dumping, burning, illegal shipping, misdescription of waste, as well as the operation of illegal waste sites.

The EA’s third national survey on the extent and nature of waste crime found 18% of all waste in England was perceived to be illegally managed – that’s approximately 34 million tonnes across England every year, enough to fill 4 million skips.

Stopping crime in the waste sector remains a top priority for the Agency. Respondents to the survey felt that waste crime requires severe sanctions, with court-issued penalties, visible activities, disruption tactics and criminal sanctions considered the most effective deterrents.

In the 2021/22 financial year, the EA brought 94 prosecutions against individuals and companies for waste crime offences, resulting in total fines exceeding £6.2 million.

Steve Molyneux, the EA’s strategic lead on waste regulation, said:

"The Environment Agency is facing well-resourced, highly organised criminals whose crimes stretch beyond the waste sector to include human trafficking, drugs and money laundering.

"We know crime in the waste sector is rife and this survey provides us with the evidence we need to help us stay one step ahead of the criminal gangs."

In 2021, the Agency adopted a new enforcement strategy which follows the Home Office’s ‘4P’ model – looking to Prepare, Prevent, Protect and Pursue. The strategy sees specialist Agency teams collaborate closely with the police, HMRC and the DVSA, and results in fewer larger prosecutions as the Agency intervenes earlier.

However, the survey found just 25 per cent of waste crime is thought to be reported to the EA, with many organisations raising concerns around reporting mechanisms and enforcement action.

The survey respondents believe the increased cost of living to be increasing the scale of waste crime, as individuals and businesses seek to minimise costs.

Jacob Hayler, executive director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), said:

The hardened criminals and organised crime gangs that have infiltrated the sector damage the environment, cause misery to communities and cost society more than a billion pounds each year – all while undermining circular economy investment by legitimate operators.

The survey response reinforces the fact that waste crime is widespread and underscores the need for effective and well-resourced enforcement alongside tougher penalties for those successfully prosecuted. The ESA and its members want to work with the Environment Agency, and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, to help achieve these goals.