Operation Unite: Turning the Tide on Waste Crime

Waste crime remains one of the biggest threats to our environment. It damages local communities, harms wildlife and habitats, undermines legitimate businesses and costs the economy an estimated £1 billion every year.

That’s why over the last 16 weeks, the Environment Agency has been carrying out a nationwide enforcement operation known as Operation Unite.

The operation forms part of our wider 10-point plan to tackle waste crime and has focused on permitted waste sites where intelligence suggested there may be risks of criminal activity.

Environment Agency officers targeted sites suspected by undertaking inspections and enforcement activity across England. The operation delivered impactful outcomes and demonstrates our commitment to taking stronger action, faster, against those who break the law.

Results from Operation Unite

Since launching in March, Operation Unite has delivered significant enforcement activity:

  • 42 enforcement visits carried out at high-risk waste sites.

  • More than 30 criminal investigations triggered.

  • The identification of 14 new illegal waste sites brought into our enforcement activity

  • 17 permit suspensions and revocations underway.

What happens next?

Operation Unite marks the beginning of a more targeted and tougher approach to tackling waste crime. Alongside new measures such as digital waste tracking, the intelligence gathered during the operation will continue to inform enforcement activity, with further operations planned in the future.

Alongside enforcement, we are increasing transparency, strengthening partnerships with other agencies and encouraging the public and waste industry to report suspected illegal activity. Every report helps build the intelligence picture and supports earlier intervention against waste criminals.

Working together to stop waste crime

Through the 10-point plan, the Environment Agency is strengthening prevention, improving detection and delivering more consistent enforcement action against offenders.

Operation Unite demonstrates how this approach is being put into practice. We will continue to take action against those who seek to profit from illegal waste activities and work with partners, industry and the public to help prevent waste crime from happening in the first place.


What we need from others

  • The Environment Agency cannot address waste crime alone. But by working together, we can respond more quickly when illegal dumping occurs and intervene earlier in the waste supply chain.
  • Report suspected waste crime. Every report helps us build the picture that enables earlier action. Report illegal dumping, suspicious waste movements or burning, unlicensed operators, or unusually cheap disposal offers to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • Check before you use a waste carrier. Check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to take your waste away. If they are not on the register, they are operating illegally.
  • Stronger local partnership working. Police, local authorities, HMRC, fire services, landowners, industry and community groups all have a role to play.
  • Support for legislative and regulatory reform. Some of the changes needed - including new powers, higher penalties and improved tracking - will require legislative change. We welcome political and public support for that work.

We are committed to playing our part. Together, we can make meaningful and lasting progress against waste crime.

Waste crime remains one of the biggest threats to our environment. It damages local communities, harms wildlife and habitats, undermines legitimate businesses and costs the economy an estimated £1 billion every year.

That’s why over the last 16 weeks, the Environment Agency has been carrying out a nationwide enforcement operation known as Operation Unite.

The operation forms part of our wider 10-point plan to tackle waste crime and has focused on permitted waste sites where intelligence suggested there may be risks of criminal activity.

Environment Agency officers targeted sites suspected by undertaking inspections and enforcement activity across England. The operation delivered impactful outcomes and demonstrates our commitment to taking stronger action, faster, against those who break the law.

Results from Operation Unite

Since launching in March, Operation Unite has delivered significant enforcement activity:

  • 42 enforcement visits carried out at high-risk waste sites.

  • More than 30 criminal investigations triggered.

  • The identification of 14 new illegal waste sites brought into our enforcement activity

  • 17 permit suspensions and revocations underway.

What happens next?

Operation Unite marks the beginning of a more targeted and tougher approach to tackling waste crime. Alongside new measures such as digital waste tracking, the intelligence gathered during the operation will continue to inform enforcement activity, with further operations planned in the future.

Alongside enforcement, we are increasing transparency, strengthening partnerships with other agencies and encouraging the public and waste industry to report suspected illegal activity. Every report helps build the intelligence picture and supports earlier intervention against waste criminals.

Working together to stop waste crime

Through the 10-point plan, the Environment Agency is strengthening prevention, improving detection and delivering more consistent enforcement action against offenders.

Operation Unite demonstrates how this approach is being put into practice. We will continue to take action against those who seek to profit from illegal waste activities and work with partners, industry and the public to help prevent waste crime from happening in the first place.


What we need from others

  • The Environment Agency cannot address waste crime alone. But by working together, we can respond more quickly when illegal dumping occurs and intervene earlier in the waste supply chain.
  • Report suspected waste crime. Every report helps us build the picture that enables earlier action. Report illegal dumping, suspicious waste movements or burning, unlicensed operators, or unusually cheap disposal offers to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • Check before you use a waste carrier. Check the public register of waste carriers before paying anyone to take your waste away. If they are not on the register, they are operating illegally.
  • Stronger local partnership working. Police, local authorities, HMRC, fire services, landowners, industry and community groups all have a role to play.
  • Support for legislative and regulatory reform. Some of the changes needed - including new powers, higher penalties and improved tracking - will require legislative change. We welcome political and public support for that work.

We are committed to playing our part. Together, we can make meaningful and lasting progress against waste crime.

Page published: 24 Jul 2026, 02:20 PM