Time to get serious on waste crime: CIWM welcomes independent review recommendations

Responding to the publication today of the findings of the Government-commissioned independent Serious & Organised Waste Crime Review, CIWM has strongly endorsed the ten recommendations1 put forward.

“These recommendations respond to repeated calls from CIWM in recent years for adequate resourcing of the regulators, a more multi-disciplinary approach to maximise intelligence sharing, and a stronger regulatory regime for waste carriers, brokers, and dealers (CBD) and Duty of Care,” says CIWM’s head of policy and communications Pat Jennings.

“Earlier this year, a cross-sector expert group – including CIWM, ESA and UROC – submitted proposals to the Government on reform of the CBD regime and we are pleased to see the commitment to reform in the report.

“CIWM has also advocated the wider roll out of some form of electronic duty of care, both as a potential tool in fighting waste crime and to provide the data on material flows needed to underpin progress towards more circular economic models.

“The proposal for a fundamental review on the funding model for the regulation and enforcement is also critical to ensure that, going forward, regulators have the resources to deal with this growing threat. We look forward to further detail on this in the forthcoming Resources & Waste Strategy for England.”

CIWM’s former chief executive Dr Colin Church was on the Defra-led advisory panel for the Serious & Organised Waste Crime Review and adds:
“This is a major milestone in the fight against the escalating problem of waste crime. Calling on expertise from the police, the Environment Agency and the resource sector, the review has been effective in proposing a range of serious interventions to detect, deter and prevent waste crime and ensure that the regulatory and enforcement regime is strengthened. I very much hope and anticipate that the Government will respond positively and rapidly to these recommendations.”

ENDS
 
1. The ten recommendations of the report are:
•    The Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) should be established.
•    Strategic relationships between the Environment Agency and PCCs should be established.
•    The Environment Agency should be equipped with the necessary tools and powers to pursue and disrupt organised crime.
•    Waste sector legislation should be amended to allow for more effective prevention and disruption of organised crime.
•    Mandatory electronic tracking of waste, and a national database of registered brokers, should be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
•    The Environment Agency should be granted full access to relevant police databases.
•    Registration and duty of care requirements for carriers, brokers and dealers should be reformed (including in relation to hazardous waste).
•    Waste producers should be held accountable for the end destination of their waste products.
•    Plans for additional 2018-22 Environment Agency funding should be reviewed to ensure consistency with plans for a Joint Unit for Waste Crime
•    Government should reform funding for the regulation and policing of the waste sector at the earliest opportunity.

The full report can be found here.

Notes to Editors:
1.    CIWM is the leading professional body for the resource and waste management sector representing around 5,500 individuals in the UK, Ireland and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. More information can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Press contact:
Pat Jennings
Head of Policy & Communications
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk