The service is designed to provide local authorities, businesses and private landowners a single-source option to tackle waste crime, as millions of tonnes of material is being unlawfully deposited across the UK each year.
John Abraham, Chief Operating Officer at Veolia UK Industrial, Water and Energy, commented: “Veolia’s rapid waste clearance service gives peace of mind immediately and protects our communities and environment from the long-term effects of mishandled waste.”
24-hour action plan
Under the new service, customers will receive an initial action plan within 24 hours of making an enquiry.
A full site assessment will then be undertaken, including immediate risk reviews and waste testing to determine the composition of materials and any associated hazards.
Once a course of action is agreed, Veolia will coordinate the safe removal, transport and disposal of waste using its national fleet and network of treatment facilities.
The company said it will provide clear and auditable records throughout the process to ensure compliance and transparency.
Ground testing teams are also available to assess longer-term site health. Where contamination is identified, Veolia’s land remediation specialists can implement measures to restore affected land.
Millions of tonnes of illegal waste dumpings
The launch comes against a backdrop of rising concern over the scale of waste crime.
Fly-tipping incidents in England have risen by 9% in 2024/25, according to recent statistics released by Defra.
The UK is also thought to have at least 8,000 illegal waste sites containing roughly 13 million tonnes of waste.
Beyond the financial burden, the environmental and public health risks are considerable.
The company explained that illegally deposited waste can include hazardous materials and persistent organic pollutants, which may leach into soils and waterways, requiring specialist treatment and long-term monitoring.
Veolia in-house capability
Veolia said a key differentiator of its rapid clearance service is its ability to contract all elements of the process in-house.
This includes site assessment, hazardous waste handling, transport, treatment and final disposal, ensuring security and regulatory compliance for landowners.
The company added that its national recycling infrastructure enables waste recovered from illegal sites to be segregated and processed appropriately, with the aim of maximising recycling and recovery wherever possible.
Abraham explained: “Veolia is the only company capable of providing this comprehensive service that offers a one stop shop for businesses, local authorities and landowners facing the consequences of the rising waste crime crisis.
“Our leading hazardous waste expertise, which forms part of Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, sets us apart in being able to treat any and all wastes found and ensure they are recycled or disposed of in a secure and sustainable way.”
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