New research by LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee) finds that local authorities do not have the required funding and resources to meet the government’s target to eliminate waste crime by 2043.
The research, carried out on behalf of FCC Environment, also found that 95% of local authority waste officers think the Environment Agency (EA) has insufficient enforcement funding to effectively tackle waste crime and is not taking enough enforcement action.
The poll of Waste and Recycling Officers working at local authorities across the UK comes just weeks after the government announced an additional £775,000 additional grant funding for a number of councils to tackle fly-tipping.
However, more than 82% of respondents said they believe there is insufficient public awareness of the different forms waste crime takes which creates further difficulty in combating it. FCC Environment says data, cost and human resources were singled out as the three biggest obstacles to effectively building an understanding of the full extent of waste crime.
The findings show government is not equipping local authorities or the EA with the budget to be able to effectively deal with the issue.
Commenting on the findings, FCC Environment’s Operations Director, Chris Ellis said: “Around one-fifth of the UK’s waste is handled illegally, costing the UK economy £1 billion each year.
“The findings show government is not equipping local authorities or the EA with the budget to be able to effectively deal with the issue, and risks missing its 2043 date for eliminating the issue.”
Cathy Cook, Chair of LARAC, added: “It is clear that our members are committed to tackling waste crime in their local authority areas, but we know more funding and resources are needed to fully address the issue.
“Waste crime hampers our environmental objectives and can be a blight on our landscapes. Our members believe this matter is a high priority and we would like to see it treated as such.”