A specialist environmental crime taskforce which will blitz illegal waste sites in England and Wales over the next two years has been set up by the Environment Agency, it was announced today. 
Illegal waste sites can pose a real threat to the environment, contaminating land and rivers with oil and toxic chemicals. They can also pose a risk to human health and blight communities, threatening air quality with toxic fumes from illegally burnt materials and by causing noise and odour problems from operations near homes and schools.
The Environment Agency has identified approximately 600 active illegal waste sites in England and Wales – and it estimates that over 300 of these sites are within 50 metres of schools, homes or sensitive environmental sites. Identifying the sites and closing them can often involve complex investigations and legal action.
Waste crime taskforce
The new taskforce, which includes former police detectives, will work closely with enforcement partners to gather intelligence and act quickly to close illegal waste sites. The taskforce will be supported by up to £5million of Environment Agency funding for the first two years.
Working closely with key partners, including local authorities and the police, the Environment Agency stopped, or brought into regulation, 1195 illegal waste sites and took over 400 waste-related prosecutions during 2010/11. In the last six months the Environment Agency was granted court orders to recoup almost £1million from offenders through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Report waste crime
Anyone with information about suspected illegal waste operators should call the Environment Agency’s incident helpline on 0800 807060 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
- Be wary of people or businesses offering cheap rubbish removal. You must have your waste removed by a registered waste carrier. Check with the Environment Agency that your carrier’s registration is valid by calling 03708 506 506.
- Complete waste transfer notes to document and describe all waste you transfer – remember you’ve got to keep them for two years.
- Don’t let your waste escape and affect the environment – store and transport it appropriately and securely.
- Know where your waste is going – use the Waste Directory to find licensed recycling and waste disposal sites in your area.
- Know what your responsibilities are if you produce, store or transport and dispose of business waste – this is your duty of care. See EA guidance for more information.
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