The Environment Agency has reduced the number of “high risk” illegal waste sites by 8% according to its annual report published yesterday (19 July).
The high risk illegal waste sites have been reduced from 272 to 253 against a target of 242, according to the report.
The EA says it achieved this through a wide range of actions, including the introduction of a National Prevention and Disruption Team, who trialled alternative methods of enforcement on sites over 2 years’ old where traditional methods had been unsuccessful.
The Agency says it concentrated on stopping new illegal sites “more quickly” and giving “clear advice and guidance” on applying for a permit. It also said it highlighted the consequences of continuing to trade illegally.
“The coming months will be challenging but we will harness the dedication, passion and knowledge of the fantastic people who work for the Environment Agency to ensure we continue to create a better place for people and wildlife.”
As a result, it says it has stopped 54% of new sites in less than 90 days.
Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the EA said: “Illegal waste operations continue to be a blight on our communities. We have been shutting them down country-wide, ending the nightmare people experience from their daily impact: fire, dust, noise and smell.
“This work not only protects the environment and people from further harm but helps to benefit legitimate business. Fighting waste crime will remain a high priority for us.
Overall the EA says it has turned most of its Key Performance Indicators green.
“But we want to do better and we will,” Bevan said.”We have even more ambitious targets for 2017 to 2018. We will continue to play our part in making a success of the Defra group, because by joining together we can better serve the people and places that truly need us.
“The coming months will be challenging but we will harness the dedication, passion and knowledge of the fantastic people who work for the Environment Agency to ensure we continue to create a better place for people and wildlife.”