New Waste Crime Action Plan launched

The government has outlined its new Waste Crime Action Plan which, among other measures, will see fly-tippers ordered to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning the streets.  They will also have to cover the cost of clearing the waste they illegal dumped.   Currently, landowners can only recuperate the clean up costs after fly-tippers have been convicted, although Defra’s new plan states that it will work with the insurance industry to explore allowing farmers, businesses and landowners to be indemnified against illegal fly-tipping on their land.    New police-style powers will be given to Environment Agency officers, allowing them to intervene earlier. Operators who ignore restriction notes, which can shut down an illegal waste operation immediately without warning, could face up to 51 weeks in prison.  Read the plan here.