One in four Britons see the environment as an important issue for the country.
Do you know how to spot waste crime taking place?
This Environment Agency (EA) blog outlines their role in regulation of waste, how to stop waste criminals spoiling our environment, and how to report waste crime anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is reminding businesses, such as takeaways, sandwich bars. care homes and retailers who supply certain single use plastic items, that a ban comes in to force this October.
The Government ban, includes the supply of existing and new stock and will cover all types of single-use plastic – including biodegradable, compostable, recycled and items made wholly or partly from plastic, including the coating or lining.
Certain plastic items such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds have already been banned, which combined with the new restrictions will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering.
Businesses who have not already made the switch should start thinking about alternatives now to meet this deadline.
‘I have been fighting crime for the last 41 years.
In that time, I have seen first-hand the damage caused by waste criminals, to lives, livelihoods, communities, and the environment.’
Sharen Owen, Senior Environmental Crime Officer for the Environment Agency shares examples ‘where the landowners were left with huge financial costs to clear their land’.
‘If you own land or warehousing, we encourage you to regularly check it is secure and be careful who you let your premises to.’
Love Summer days out but don’t like to impact on your local environment?
Pledge to keep it green this summer and you could win one of 5 #BigGreenDayOut prizes worth over £200 each.
Find out more recycledevon.org/big-green-day-out
We may have heard of the Countryside Code, but the 2023 Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code gives specific advice on how you can help to minimise disturbance to wildlife when you visit the coast.
This essential guide highlights how to act responsibly when visiting the coast and how to recognise when you are disturbing marine wildlife.
‘The Marine and coastal wildlife code does not replace guidance from local councils or organisations. Instead, you can consider the code alongside guidance from other sources.’
‘Waste crime encompasses a range of illegal activities, including dumping, burning, illegal shipping of waste, mis-describing waste, and operating illegal waste sites.
Waste criminals put us all at risk every time they break the law. Their toxic crimes cause widespread and significant harm to people, places and the economy.
Waste criminals are all around us: Respondents estimate that a fifth of all waste produced may be illegally managed – that’s approximately 34 million tonnes every year across England, enough to fill 4 million skips.
The findings of this Environment Agency survey will now be used to shape the strategic response to waste crime.’
Clean Devon is not just about litter, sometimes we like to remind ourselves what a fantastic part of the world we live and the joy that litter free landscapes provide.
Devon’s Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has launched it’s annual ‘Best Young Landscape Artist Competition 2023’. If you are aged between 7 – 18yrs, anything goes and the winner will receive £100. Closing date 30th September 2023.
For more details visit the CPRE website.
Are you a land or property owner?
If so, you might be at risk from waste criminals illegally dumping waste on your premises.
Find out how you can protect yourself and your premises and avoid waste criminals in this Environment Agency blog.
‘Devon has experienced a huge deterioration in the health of our environment due to complex factors such as habitat loss, pesticides, disease, pollution and climate change.’
To help reverse these declines, Devon is developing a Local Nature Recovery Strategy working with all local partners through the Devon Local Nature Partnership (LNP)
The LNP wants your views on what you want from the strategy.
To find out more visit Devon Local Nature Partnership
‘Finding someone to take away your waste via an app may be convenient but choosing the wrong person could lead to fly-tipping, dumping and the illegal export of waste abroad.’
Apps offering waste disposal services are a new and emerging risk – make sure you know your duty of care obligations.
This Environment Agency release will help you find a legitimate waste operator, particularly for online services.