ESAET warns of culture of criminality in waste

Illegal waste activities currently cost the UK economy as much as over 800 million a year, according to a report published by the Environmental Services Association Education Trust (ESAET) today (March 4).

The study, which was compiled by waste consultancy Eunomia (see letsrecycle.com story), warns of a culture of criminality appearing in the waste sector, with some industry figures claiming that the industry has become an easy target for organised criminal gangs.

It suggests that of the types of waste crime prevalent in the UK, illegal waste sites make up 126-224 million worth of damage each year, with tax evasion and fly tipping making up between 93-314 million and 103-280 million respectively.

According to the report, the wide range on tax evasion estimates is due to very limited evidence in regard to the activity. However, Eunomia believes the real cost is likely to be considerably higher than previously thought.

In order to tackle the problem, the ESAET has recommended that waste crime enforcement budgets be bolstered, claiming that for every 1 spent on increasing security, an estimated 3.20 would be returned to government coffers.

ESAET also welcomed an announcement made by the Sentencing Council last week that an increase in fines for illegal dumping of waste, after it criticised ineffective regulation and lenient sentencing as providing an inadequate deterrent.

Perception

Commenting on todays publication, ESAET trustee Barry Dennis said people needed to stop viewing waste crime as being less important than other illegal activities.

He said: Fly-tipping, rogue waste operations and tax evasion via the misclassification of waste are crimes that create health risks for the public, are costing the taxpayer millions of pounds a year and are funding organised crime.

We recognise the real pressure on government funds. However, our report clearly demonstrates how the cost of enforcement activity to stop waste crime will quickly pay for itself many times over, through increased tax income, reduced clean-up costs and a thriving legitimate waste sector.

Seeing waste criminals held to account protects us all from environmental harm and economic disadvantage. The legitimate waste industry is ready to contribute and looks forward to addressing this issue together with government in a spirit of co-operation.

Government

ESAET intends to send a copy of the report to the government, and will be seeking discussions with the relevant departments as well as waste industry representatives.

James Fulford, who authored the report, added: While waste crime can have serious environmental impacts, the motive is economic. It offers high rewards and relatively low risk of substantial penalty. It takes work away from legitimate, permitted waste operators, who therefore lose income. However, the profits come largely at the expense of the taxpayer.

Commenting on the report, SITA UK chief executive and ESA chairman, David Palmer-Jones, said: “Waste crime is a man-made sore on the environment and is burning the economy to the tune of 800 million a year. However, this situation is preventable with the right funding for enforcement measures.

“We have witnessed the damage caused by under-funding our defences against natural floods. The flood of waste crime is now rising too, but we can look to recycle a small portion of the landfill tax levied from legitimate residual waste disposal into strengethening waste crime defences and enforcement.