MP Gareth Snell welcomes crackdown on rogue waste operators as Labour Government introduces toughest ever licensing reforms
MP Gareth Snell welcomes crackdown on rogue waste operators as Labour Government introduces toughest ever licensing reforms
New reforms are set to tighten the net on waste criminals with tougher sentences for those illegally dumping waste, and advanced background checks to help put rogue operators out of business.
As part of the major crackdown on waste criminals, underpinned by the government’s Waste Crime Action Plan, laws being laid this week will require waste handlers to prove they are qualified to transport waste.
The current registration system is broken and outdated, relying on a basic registration process with limited identity and background checks. This has been exploited by rogue operators with a poor track record of dumping waste and leaving a huge clean-up bill.
The new and tougher permit-based system will be brought into force in 2027, and require waste handlers to undergo identity, criminal record and technical checks before receiving a permit.
They will also need to display their permit number in advertising, including on their vans, making it easier for the public to report unlicensed operators.
For those mishandling waste, they will now face up to five years in prison.
The move to permitting will also give the Environment Agency stronger powers to revoke permits and issue enforcement notices.
The government is doubling the budget for waste crime enforcement, with a clear focus on targeting the organised criminal gangs that have exploited the system for years. By combining stronger digital checks with increased enforcement capacity, these reforms will drive criminal operators out of the sector and restore confidence that waste is being handled safely and legally.
Gareth Said “Across Stoke‑on‑Trent, we have seen the real damage caused by rogue waste operators. Illegal dumping harms our neighbourhoods, damages the environment and leaves everyone footing the bill.
“These reforms send a clear message: anyone handling waste must prove they can do so responsibly.”