A new crackdown on waste criminals is set to impose stricter penalties amounting to £45 million. The government and the Environment Agency (EA) are gearing up to unveil an extensive set of measures aimed at combatting illegal dumping, with enhanced consequences for offenders.
To intensify the fight against waste crime, the EA will escalate its enforcement efforts against perpetrators, supported by an extra £45 million in government funding over the next three years. Additionally, the government will directly finance the cleanup of some of the most severe illegal waste sites across the country, including locations in Wigan, Sheffield, and Lancashire where a combined 48,000 tonnes of waste have been unlawfully disposed of. The EA has already conducted evaluations of these sites, with further actions on the horizon.
Ministers are planning to introduce a Landfill Tax rebate for local authorities that take proactive steps to clear up sites, alleviating financial burdens on these authorities. Moreover, individuals caught dumping waste from their vehicles illegally could face penalty points, potentially resulting in the loss of their driving licenses. Under the new Waste Crime Action Plan, offenders may be required to undergo up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning public spaces and reimbursing the expenses incurred in clearing the waste they illicitly discarded.
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, emphasized the necessity of cracking down on waste criminals who have been causing harm to communities, the environment, and the economy. The Action Plan aims to hold offenders accountable by involving them in cleanup operations and making them cover the costs of clearing illegal waste sites. Reynolds also highlighted the empowerment of enforcement officers with enhanced police-like authority to ensure offenders face justice.
Recent reports revealed that ministers are considering granting the EA and its enforcement officers new powers to disrupt the financial activities of those engaged in illegal waste activities. As part of a new 10 Point Plan released by the EA, stringent measures have been outlined to swiftly shut down illegal waste operations, with no prior notice. Operators defying restriction notices could potentially face imprisonment for up to 51 weeks.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, stressed the evolving threat of waste crime and the need for a more proactive response. The EA plans to act swiftly and decisively by shutting down illegal sites early on, revoking permits of rogue operators, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies and local councils to seize criminal assets. Duffy also emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting illegal dumping activities through channels like Crimestoppers or the incident hotline.