Beware of rogue waste operators if you're decluttering

T this time of year, the start of spring often means clearing away the clutter or even planning an extension or revamp of your home.

- Jamie Fletcher

It is only when you start the work that you realise just how much rubbish you have piled up in bulging cupboards and attics. When you've taken what can be reused to the charity shop and you are left with piles of rubbish what you do next is a decision that could not only impact on the environment but also your finances.How you dispose of rubbish is a responsibility we must take seriously. Fly-tipping and illegal waste is not only a blot on our landscape, it is also damaging our environment and creating health risks for people and wildlife.

The Environment Agency's role is regulating waste management activities and ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Waste crime is also a lot more complex than just fly tipping - illegal waste sites, operating without the correct permits or authorisations, large scale dumping of waste, waste fires, misdescription of waste, illegal waste exports.

Our enforcement team put a stop to 11 illegal waste sites during 2025 and are continuing to work hard to find and put an end to further illegal activity in 2026.

Last month (February) the Environment Agency joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive to carry out a joint site inspection of a site in Northumberland.

The company has shown a complete disregard for the impact this could have had on its workers and nearby residents. We successfully prosecuted the owner of the site, Reddem Ltd who were ordered to pay almost £10,000 for operating an illegal waste site in Wooler, containing asbestos.