Waste Crime

Greater Manchester sees 144 fly-tipping incidents every day
Greater Manchester sees 144 fly-tipping incidents every day

New research reveals that 144 incidents of fly-tipping occur every day across the Greater Manchester areas, costing councils nearly £4.9 million in clearance and enforcement, according to a new report.


Research commissioned by Manchester-based start-up Dsposal and supported by GC Business Growth Hub has been released in a report named ‘Tip of the binberg: Exploring the full cost of waste crime in Greater Manchester’.

Two men face charges for multiple waste crimes
Two men face charges for multiple waste crimes

Charges have been brought against two men in Swansea for ‘several years’ worth of illegal activities likely to cause harm to the environment and human health.

Walsall to trial free street skips to tackle fly-tipping
Walsall to trial free street skips to tackle fly-tipping

Free skips in every ward and free bulky waste collections are one of a number of options being considered by Walsall Council as incidents of fly-tipping in the local authority continue to rise.

More than 66k tonnes of waste finally cleared from Warrington docks
More than 66k tonnes of waste finally cleared from Warrington docks
By
Rob Cole
| 30 August 2018 |
More than 66,000 tonnes tonnes of illegally dumped waste posing a fire hazard have been cleared from a storage site in Warrington.
Over £300,000 available for litter-fighting projects across Britain
By
Gethin Roberts
| 15 August 2018 |
This second round of funding builds on the government’s Litter Strategy for England and seeks innovative solutions to tackle littering.
EA investigates companies for shipping 1,000 tonnes of illegal waste to Poland
By
Gethin Roberts
| 15 August 2018 |
45 containers of waste are being sent back to the UK after being intercepted by officials, while three firms are under criminal investigation amid reports of involvement with the ‘trash mafia’.
Bike-share companies accused of creating e-waste mountains
Bike-share companies accused of creating e-waste mountains
By
Kate Dickinson
| 10 August 2018 |
The Basel Action Network has called for app-based bike hire companies to ensure they have proper recycling policies in place after bikes were found dumped in China and the USA.
Industry group calls for tougher regulation to prevent waste crime
Industry group calls for tougher regulation to prevent waste crime
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 August 2018 |
The group, made up of representatives from the ESA, CIWM and UROC, has set out its recommendations for the government in advance of the publication of its Resources and Waste Strategy.
Six-fold increase in average fines imposed by Environment Agency
By
Gethin Roberts
| 24 July 2018 |
The average fine against a company has risen from £23,731 in 2013/14 to £147,575 in 2017/18.
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
By
Kate Dickinson
| 19 July 2018 |
The Chinese Government has intercepted huge amounts of waste in the first half of 2018 as its crackdown on smuggling continues. 
Environment Agency warns of illegal waste dumping trend
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 July 2018 |
The regulator has called for vigilance amongst landlords as criminals are renting properties in order to dispose of illegal waste.
North Lincolnshire Council invests £2 million in refuse vehicle CCTV
North Lincolnshire Council invests £2 million in refuse vehicle CCTV
By
Gethin Roberts
| 13 July 2018 |
The council says the 13 new vehicles will boost efficiency amid drives to increase the area’s waste and recycling productivity. 
Company fined for illegal waste dump that killed protected species
Company fined for illegal waste dump that killed protected species
By
Kate Dickinson
| 6 July 2018 |
A construction company has been ordered to pay £100,000 in fines and prosecution costs after it was found guilty of dumping waste on the habitat of a protected species of wildlife.
Hampshire council launches campaign against fly-tipping
Hampshire council launches campaign against fly-tipping
By
Gethin Roberts
| 4 July 2018 |
A new media campaign from Hampshire County Council seeks to educate the public about the unlimited fines fly-tipping can incur. 
Thailand halts plastic and e-waste imports
Thailand halts plastic and e-waste imports
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 July 2018 |
In the wake of China’s import bans it has been reported that Thailand is becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for electronic waste – and the country is beginning to fight back against the influx. 
Government waste crime review to tackle ‘serious and organised’ crime
Government waste crime review to tackle ‘serious and organised’ crime
By
Kate Dickinson
| 11 June 2018 |
The government has launched a review into serious and organised waste crime in England, asking for input from the public about how the growing problem might be tackled.
Which local authority is England’s worst fly-tipping offender?
Which local authority is England’s worst fly-tipping offender?
By
Gethin Roberts
| 23 May 2018 |
New research finds that The City of London has the biggest illegal rubbish dumping problem in England, with 238 fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people.
Recycling consultant jailed for £300k tax fraud
Recycling consultant jailed for £300k tax fraud
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 May 2018 |
John Hamill of GH Consulting has been handed a 21-month jail sentence after paying no income tax for nine years.
Repeat waste offender convicted for the fourth time for environmental offences
Repeat waste offender convicted for the fourth time for environmental offences
By
Gethin Roberts
| 15 May 2018 |
A waste criminal who has persistently dumped, buried and burnt hazardous waste has been jailed for 26 months.
New EA waste crime powers come into force
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 April 2018 |
The Environment Agency (EA) will be providing waste enforcement officers with body cameras to tackle incidents of abuse as a new raft of waste crime powers comes into force.
Government doubles maximum fine for littering
By
Rob Cole
| 29 April 2018 |
The maximum on-the-spot fine for littering and graffiti has been almost doubled from £80 to £150 as the government cracks down on this anti-social and environmentally damaging behaviour.
Defra to consult on litter enforcement guidance
By
Kate Dickinson
| 13 April 2018 |
The government has launched a public consultation on new stronger guidance for councils regarding the ‘proportionate and effective’ use of penalties for littering.
WEEE reprocessors criticise Defra over lower collection targets
WEEE reprocessors criticise Defra over lower collection targets
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 March 2018 |
Defra’s proposed collection target for WEEE in 2018 is  lower than the missed 2017 target, triggering dismay from the industry.