Environment Agency Warns Landowners About Rise in Waste Crime

The Environment Agency (EA) issued a warning on August 21, 2024, urging property and landowners to secure their premises as waste crime continues to surge. This growing issue, affecting both urban and rural areas, has seen organised criminal gangs targeting land to illegally dump waste, particularly impacting rural locations. This issue is also becoming a concern for businesses in the skip hire Leeds and skip hire Wakefield sectors, as proper waste management is critical to combatting the rise in illegal dumping. Companies like EFR Skips play a key role in providing responsible waste disposal services.

EA Waste Crime Enforcement

The EA has reported that criminal networks are actively targeting rural land and property. According to the 2023 National Waste Crime Survey, 85% of landowners and farmers experienced small-scale fly-tipping, while 20% reported large-scale fly-tipping on their land.

A separate survey conducted in June by the National Farmers Union revealed that 85% of respondents felt that fly-tipping had either remained the same or worsened over the last five years. This highlights the ongoing challenges landowners face and the need for professional waste management services like skip hire Leeds and skip hire Wakefield to handle waste responsibly. Companies such as EFR Skips provide effective solutions for managing and preventing illegal waste dumping.

Recommendations for Landowners

To protect against the growing threat of waste crime, the EA recommends three essential steps for land and property owners:

1. Regularly inspect and secure your property: Make sure any empty land or buildings are routinely checked and secured to prevent illegal access by waste criminals.
2. Conduct thorough tenant checks: Landowners must ensure that any tenants leasing their land comply with regulations, as they are responsible for any illegal waste stored on their property, which could result in prosecution.
3. Report suspicious activity: If you suspect illegal waste dumping, contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline at 0800 80 70 60. In urban areas, partnering with reputable skip hire Leeds or skip hire Wakefield companies, such as EFR Skips, can also be a preventive measure for handling waste legally and efficiently.

Steve Molyneux, deputy director of waste regulation at the Environment Agency, emphasized, “Waste criminals need access to places to dump the rubbish they illegally collect – but your vigilance can stop them. Shutting them out of property and land is just one tactic to scupper these rogues.”

Consequences of Waste Crime on Private Land

When waste is dumped illegally on private land, the responsibility for its removal falls on the landowner, often resulting in significant financial costs. These clean-up operations can exceed £200,000, adding a heavy burden on those affected.

The overall impact of waste crime in England is estimated to cost the economy £1 billion annually due to lost tax revenue, environmental damage, and harm to legitimate waste management businesses. The amount of waste managed illegally is vast, with enough to fill approximately four million skips—underscoring the importance of responsible skip hire Leeds and skip hire Wakefield services, like those offered by EFR Skips, to reduce this problem.

Impact on Rural Communities

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has raised concerns about the impact of fly-tipping on rural communities. CLA president Victoria Vyvyan stated, “Fly-tipping is a crime that is blighting rural communities. Farmers and landowners bear the cost of removing rubbish, and on average, they pay £1,000 to remove waste. In some cases, these costs can rise to £100,000, or they risk prosecution themselves.”

This illegal dumping often involves hazardous waste such as asbestos and chemicals, posing significant threats to farmers, wildlife, livestock, crops, and the environment.

By following the EA’s guidance and engaging with reputable waste management services like skip hire Leeds and skip hire Wakefield, provided by EFR Skips, landowners can better protect their properties from waste crime while contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.