Regulation of Waste

A debate will be opened by Aaron Bell MP today (1 February) in Westminster Hall to consider criminality within and regulation of the waste industry.

Background
The Environment Agency (EA), in its report National Waste Crime Survey Report 2021 estimated that 18% of all waste is illegally managed.  It identified that waste crime costs the economy of England £1 billion per year for the costs of remediation of fly-tipping, unauthorised burning, illegal waste sites, exemption breaches etc. and the loss of landfill tax.  This is believed to be an underestimate!  Further, there is a perception of increased waste crime during the pandemic.

In January 2022 two new consultations were published to deal with waste crime:

—  a Consultation on the reform of the waste carrier, broker, dealer registration system in England; and

—  a Consultation on the introduction of mandatory digital waste tracking

Whilst the Environment Act 2021 also provides waste regulation authorities with stronger powers of entry and access to evidence in prosecuting waste crime (section 66 and schedule 10).

Businesses are encouraged to carry out a waste audit to identify where their waste is being sent for disposal and ensure that they have appropriate consignment documents.

If you need help with your waste management strategy, then do get in touch.