The group were found guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of conspiracy to illegally dump controlled waste across six London sites.
Patrick Doherty received 28 months, and Martin Ward received 18 months.
Michael Ward (also known as Martin McCann) and Simon O’Donnell both received 14 months. suspended for 2 years.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “The actions of these shameless waste criminals are unacceptable and have rightly been punished.
“My message is simple – break the law by dumping waste and we will come after you.
“This Government is stepping up action, through our Waste Crime Action Plan, with new powers and more funding for the authorities and tougher punishments for criminals.”
The Agency reported that the gang conducted a “sophisticated and calculated” criminal operation over the period of a year.
The waste included controlled items such as tyres and waste from house clearances and construction.
Six vacant sites across London were occupied and turned into illegal waste dumps in the space of several hours each.
The investigation – known as “Operation Angola” – found that tipper trucks arrived at each site in convoy to fill them with waste before moving on.
CCTV footage showed the men illegally entering the sites, interfering with the cameras, and directing the trucks.
The individuals were also found to have made attempts to hide their own faces and cover or remove vehicles registration plates.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimates that waste crime costs the UK economy £2 billion annually.
Matt Higginson, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said: “This verdict is justice for residents who have had to endure misery and environmental damage at the hand of this gang.
“We are laser focused on tackling illegal waste crime and are stepping up action with better intelligence, faster interventions and naming and shaming rogue operators.
“I would urge anyone who suspects illegal waste activity to report it anonymously so we can tackle these crimes head on.”
Specific sites
According to the Agency, many of the effected landowners were forced to pay “hundreds of thousands” of pounds to clean up the sites.
At Imperial Way in Croydon, the landowner was left £300,000 out of pocket.
Security cameras were smashed, and a company representative was threatened and refused entry.
At another site on Station Road in Colliers Wood, a member of the gang told a site worker to pay £5,000 or “I will fill this unit to the brim”.
The money was not paid, and waste was piled five feet high, costing the landowner £15,000 to clear.
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