The Environment Agency is urging property residents and landowners across the North East to be extra vigilant in relation to protecting their property and check the credentials of the waste carriers to avoid being victims of waste crime during the COVID-19 lockdown, and beyond.
During the current Coronavirus pandemic and related closures of household waste and recycling centres across England, increased amounts of waste are being produced by the households, which might create the perfect opportunity for waste criminals.
During the lockdown, many residents are carrying out clear-outs in their homes and using hire skips and ordering disposal companies to take their waste away. However, some companies that offer to take away waste, often using social media, are not doing it legally, fly-tipping large amounts of waste on someone's land. Then, clearance of the waste becomes the responsibility of the landowner, very often at a great expense.
Waste criminals might also use this time when some companies are shut during the lockdown, to dump waste on their land, while no one is around. They also might lease storage space or land for that purpose.
David Edwardson, the Environment Agency's Enforcement leader for the North East, said: "Waste crime is something that not only affects the environment in which we live and work but it can be an awful experience for residents, landowners and businesses who fall victim to these acts of criminal activity".
"This is why, as the regulator for the commercial waste industry, we are urging individuals, businesses and organisations to be cautious, extra vigilant and responsible with the management of their waste. This will prevent it getting into the hands of criminals – who cause damage and heartache to properties and the local economy".
The annual economic impact of waste crime in England is estimated to be around £604 million. The Environment Agency has now access to a specialist taskforce to track and prosecute organised crime that involves illegal waste activity and ensure any necessary action is taken against them.
As a waste producer, it is your duty of care to know where your waste is heading, once you give it to someone to dispose of. In a court of law, you might be prosecuted if your waste is fly-tipped by the waste carrier.
Also, landowners must be especially careful when being offered cash for storing some waste on land - waste criminals might offer money to store waste "temporarily", but they never return to collect. They might also dump it without landowner's knowledge.
James Copeland, Senior Environment and Land Use Adviser said: "When accepting any material, especially waste onto farm, there are a number of waste regulations you must be aware of. Depositing unsuitable materials could leave you with expensive clean-up costs or facing prosecution. There are a number of key checks and questions you need to ask when accepting waste and if in doubt, contact the competent authority for advice".
It is always advised to check the waste carrier's credentials in the register, which can be done on the Environment Agency's website, here. Anyone who wishes to transport, buy, sell or dispose of waste must be registered.
