The latest update brings the number of sites on the list to 115, down from 123 in July 2026.
The sites collectively contain an estimated 1,896,093 tonnes of potentially rogue waste, down from 2,112,406 tonnes.
The list includes sites which are reportedly causing “concern within local communities” and reflects the EA’s work to “act early” on illegal waste activity.
The Agency said the list will be updated monthly as its investigations and enforcement activity progress. It explained that the list is not a “static picture”, and that it expects change from month to month.
The EA added that sites removed from the list would continue to be monitored where necessary.
In an update, the agency said: “Even when a site is removed, our enforcement teams will continue to monitor it closely and take action whenever necessary to stop illegal waste activity.”
“Those responsible will still be pursued and we will seek to recover the costs of the clean-up where possible.”
Removed sites
Among the locations removed from the latest list is a site in Iken, Suffolk, which was previously listed as containing 121,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste.
The EA said it had completed enforcement action at the site, including a successful prosecution. No further waste has been imported and the Agency is working with the operators to regulate future activities.
A site in Pershore, Worcestershire, containing around 30,000 tonnes of inert soils has also been removed.
The EA said it had worked with partners to bring the site into compliance.
The remaining locations range from around 100,000 tonnes to just one tonne of waste, covering materials including tyres, commercial waste, household waste and mixed shredded waste.
Waste crime
The first version of the EA’s high priority sites list was published in May 2026 and contained 117 sites, with around 1.9 million tonnes of waste identified.
Waste crime is estimated by the Environmental Services Association (ESA) to cost the English economy around £2 billion each year. The EA estimates that around 20% of waste is handled illegally.
The Agency said the purpose of the high priority list is to provide greater transparency around sites presenting a potential risk to communities, while supporting its enforcement work.
The latest list can be viewed in full here.
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