The UK government is preparing to significantly escalate its response to waste crime by granting enhanced enforcement powers to the Environment Agency, aligning its authority more closely with police capabilities.

Under the proposed “zero-tolerance” framework, the agency could be given powers derived from the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). This would enable earlier intervention, stronger investigative reach, and—critically—the ability to target the financial structures underpinning organised waste crime.

This shift reflects a clear policy reclassification: waste crime is no longer being treated as a regulatory nuisance but as a form of organised criminal activity. The ability to disrupt illicit revenue streams, seize assets, and collaborate with financial institutions marks a move toward intelligence-led enforcement.

The upcoming Waste Crime Action Plan is expected to formalise this approach, addressing offences ranging from small-scale fly-tipping to large, unregulated waste operations. Authorities are also exploring mechanisms for intelligence-sharing with banks and financial entities, allowing them to flag or sever ties with businesses linked to illegal waste activities.

According to Emma Reynolds, the reforms are intended to accelerate enforcement outcomes and increase accountability, while Philip Duffy emphasised the need for expanded powers alongside continued coordination with law enforcement and local authorities.

The enforcement landscape is already evolving. The Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), which includes the National Crime Agency, has expanded its specialist team to include intelligence analysts and financial investigators—underscoring the increasing sophistication of both enforcement and criminal networks.

Between mid-2024 and the end of 2025, the Environment Agency secured 122 prosecutions, shut down over 1,200 illegal sites, and achieved custodial sentences in multiple cases. However, with waste crime costing the UK economy an estimated £1 billion annually, policymakers view these new powers as essential to closing enforcement gaps.

If enacted, the legislation would also increase penalties, with offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment for illegal waste transport and handling—further reinforcing the government’s intent to deter and dismantle criminal operations across the sector.

Article source: the UK Government.