The programme featured companies running illegal landfill and incineration operations and flagrant examples of fly-tipping. It also appeared to expose the illegal transfer of residual waste from Southern to Northern Ireland.

CIWM chief executive Steve Lee commented:  ‘This programme clearly illustrated the importance of a level of enforcement in keeping with the type of threats we now face. As legislation tightens and the cost of waste management rises, unscrupulous operators will see opportunities for finding their way around the system and making big profits in the process.  Strong, consistent enforcement is needed to meet the challenge.

This must be accompanied by effective communication programmes at national and local level. The public and businesses need to see that fly-tipping and other ways of avoiding waste management responsibilities are serious offences and are being tackled. They should also be clear on what to do if they see someone committing these crimes.’

The programme also highlighted the importance of businesses having a more ‘hands-on’ approach to the destruction of their confidential information. Steve Lee commented: ‘Businesses should remember their own waste ‘Duty of Care’. The code of practice recommends that businesses check what happens to their waste. For the destruction of confidential information, they should make sure that they are employing a company that specialises in this area and is operating to appropriate standards.’

However CIWM also stressed the importance of householders and businesses not being put off responsible waste management practices because of a few unscrupulous operators. Lee commented: ‘The UK is making considerable strides in recycling, and there is a lot more to come over the next few years. It would certainly be counter-productive if programmes like this caused people to turn away from recycling.’