National waste crime survey 2023: summary
Published 6 July 2023
Applies to England
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1. Chief Scientist’s Group report summary
Waste crime encompasses a range of illegal activities, including burning of waste, illegal shipping of waste, mis-describing waste and operating illegal waste sites. However, understanding the Environment Agency’s impact on the problem is challenging as waste criminals aim to avoid detection, therefore concealing the full extent and effects of waste crime.
1.1 The survey
The Environment Agency set up the National Waste Crime Survey to gain insight into the nature and scale of waste crime, as perceived by those experiencing it. This is an independent metric on waste crime, unaffected by Environment Agency operational resources or pressures. It aims to understand the scale of waste crime, what motivates and deters waste criminals, and explores respondents’ opinions on the effectiveness of the Environment Agency in tackling waste crime.
Earlier iterations of the survey ran in 2020 and 2021, and showed how widespread waste crime is, with respondents estimating that 18% of all waste is illegally managed.
In February 2023, members of the waste industry, service providers (such as local authorities and environmental consultants) and landowners/farmers were invited to anonymously complete the third iteration of the survey. Respondents are therefore a self-selecting group, focussing on their own experiences of waste crime.
1.2 Results
The survey found that the waste industry continues to consider waste crime to be widespread across England, estimating on average that 18% of all waste may be illegally managed. The financial consequences of waste crime are greater compared to previous years, with the cost of clean up being the most commonly experienced impact. The rise in the cost of living was thought to increase waste crime, with financial penalties seen as the most effective deterrent.
Few respondents felt that the Environment Agency effectively deters waste crime, primarily due to perceived inadequate reporting mechanisms and unsatisfactory enforcement responses. 48% of respondents disagreed that the Environment Agency is adequately resourced in relation to waste regulation. Respondents estimated that just 24% of waste crime is reported to the Environment Agency.
The findings will be used to inform the Environment Agency’s strategic approach to tackling waste crime.