What is the scale of illegal waste dumping in the UK?

According to the report, at least 38 million tonnes of waste is illegally managed every year in the UK, leading to serious environmental, economic, and social consequences.

How much does waste crime cost the UK economy?

The report states that waste crime costs the UK economy £1 billion per year in clean-up, enforcement costs, and lost revenues to legitimate businesses and the taxman, with up to £150 million evaded in landfill tax alone.

What is the status of prosecutions against waste criminals in the UK?

The report describes the "woeful" record of successful prosecutions and penalties against the perpetrators of serious and organized waste crime, noting that this has allowed organized criminals to see the waste sector as a "low-risk, high-reward" criminal enterprise.

Home / Environment / Organized Crime Exploits 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Waste Dumping in UK

Organized Crime Exploits 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Waste Dumping in UK

28 Oct

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Summary

Organized crime groups make millions from illegal waste dumping and burning
Lack of enforcement makes waste crime a "low-risk, high-reward" criminal enterprise
Authorities fail to pursue reports, utilize powers, or prosecute serious waste crimes

Organized Crime Exploits 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Waste Dumping in UK

According to a report by the UK's House of Lords, organized crime groups are exploiting the country's lax enforcement against waste crimes, making millions every year from illegal dumping and burning of rubbish. The Lords committee found that "criminality is endemic in the waste sector," with at least 38 million tonnes of waste being illegally managed annually, leading to serious environmental, economic, and social consequences.

The committee has now demanded that officials conduct a "root and branch review" of the government's response to waste crime within the next 18 months. They highlighted the "woeful" record of successful prosecutions and penalties, noting that the lack of effective enforcement has allowed organized criminals to see the waste sector as a "low-risk opportunity to make large sums of money."

The report cited the "egregious events" at Hoad's Wood in Kent, where over 30,000 tonnes of waste were illegally dumped over several years, despite repeated public reports. The committee criticized the Environment Agency and police for failing to utilize their powers and expertise to tackle this serious and organized criminal activity.

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