National Waste Crime Survey 2023 – Results

‘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.’