The UK Government has announced plans to introduce a new Waste Crime Action Plan, alongside proposals to expand the Environment Agency’s enforcement powers, as part of a broader effort to tackle illegal waste activity.
The announcement, made by Defra, signals a more robust and coordinated approach to addressing waste crime, from fly-tipping to large-scale illegal waste operations.
Stronger enforcement powers for the Environment Agency
As part of the proposed changes, the Environment Agency (EA) is expected to be granted enhanced “police-style” enforcement powers, placing it among a small number of regulatory bodies with similar capabilities.
Defra has stated that these powers are intended to allow the EA to intervene earlier, strengthen investigations, and increase the number of offenders brought to justice.
The government is also exploring extending the EA’s use of powers under:
- The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
- The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA)
If implemented, these changes would support more effective disruption of organised waste crime, including the use of financial enforcement measures.
Legislation to enable these powers is expected to be introduced when parliamentary time allows.
The Environment Agency has indicated that enhanced powers will help it to:
- Take earlier action against suspected illegal activity
- Increase successful prosecutions
- Target organised waste crime through financial investigations
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:
“Waste crime causes misery across communities, and we have significantly stepped up our response to it already. But we are not standing still.
While having more boots on the ground is important in tackling these criminal networks, we also need to make sure our officers have as many powers as possible to bring them down.
But we can’t do this on our own. We are working closely with the police and local government. And we need the eyes and ears of the public to report potential dumping… Working together, we can drive criminals out of our waste sector.”
What to expect from the Waste Crime Action Plan
Alongside the enforcement changes, Defra confirmed it will publish a Waste Crime Action Plan, which is expected to set out a more comprehensive strategy for tackling waste crime across the UK.
While full details have not yet been released, the plan is expected to cover:
- Stronger enforcement against fly-tipping
- Increased action against large illegal waste sites
- Greater coordination between enforcement agencies
The government has also indicated it is considering additional measures, including:
- Driving licence penalty points for individuals convicted of fly-tipping
- Enhanced data and intelligence sharing between enforcement agencies and financial institutions
What this means for producers
While these measures are primarily aimed at criminal operators, they reinforce the government’s broader focus on transparency, traceability, and accountability across the waste sector.
For producers, this highlights the importance of:
- Working with reputable and compliant waste management partners
- Maintaining clear audit trails for waste handling and disposal
- Ensuring robust due diligence processes are in place
As enforcement activity increases, businesses may face greater scrutiny over how their waste is managed downstream.
How Clarity can support you
As enforcement activity increases, many organisations are reviewing how their waste is managed and the level of visibility they have across their waste streams.
With Recycle with Clarity, you can:
- Maximise the commercial value of your waste materials
- Work with established and reliable recycling and recovery partners
- Gain clearer visibility and reporting on how waste is managed downstream
- Strengthen oversight of your waste processes and data
Find out how Recycle with Clarity can support your organisation. Get in touch with one of our recycling experts to book a free recycling site inspection today.
