Defra has recently launched a new Waste Crime Action Plan as part of a wider effort to reduce illegal waste activity and strengthen regulatory control across the sector. The plan introduces practical regulatory changes that will directly affect how businesses manage waste, particularly around tracking, accountability, and enforcement.
Below, we outline the key areas businesses need to be aware of, including the regulatory shift, penalties for non-compliance and operational changes under the Action Plan.
What This Means for Businesses
Businesses will need to demonstrate stronger oversight of waste contractors and subcontractors, transfer documentation and audit trails, disposal routes and end destinations, and internal compliance systems and reporting accuracy.
This Action Plan signals a clear regulatory shift:
- From paper-based compliance to mandatory digital traceability
- From reactive enforcement to proactive monitoring and intervention
- From limited oversight to full supply chain accountability
- From inconsistent checks to data-led regulatory scrutiny
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with waste legislation continues to carry significant legal and financial risk, particularly where duty of care obligations are not properly evidenced.
- Unlimited fines for companies
- Up to 5 years’ imprisonment for individuals involved in serious offences
- Asset seizure and recovery of enforcement and clean-up costs
- Increased director-level accountability in serious or repeated breaches
Action Plan Pillars
1.Prevention
The focus is on preventing illegal activity earlier in the waste chain. This includes the rollout of mandatory digital waste tracking, stronger controls on waste carriers and brokers, and increased verification of permits and registrations. Businesses will also be expected to demonstrate full end-to-end traceability of waste movements.
2.Enforcement
Regulators will have enhanced powers to act more quickly against suspected illegal activity. This includes increased site inspections, improved intelligence sharing between agencies, and stronger powers to enter sites, seize vehicles, and shut down non-compliant operations.
3.Remediation
Where waste crime occurs, there will be a stronger focus on rapid intervention and site closure to limit harm. Regulators will also make greater use of cost recovery powers, with a stronger expectation that offenders fund clean-up and restoration of affected sites.
Next Steps
♻️ Review and verify all waste contractors are fully licensed and registered
📍Clearly evidence the final destination and treatment of all waste
📝 Ensure waste documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready
💻 Begin preparing for mandatory digital waste tracking requirements
🔎 Strengthen internal oversight of waste handling and reporting processes
How True Solutions Can Help
If you would like support reviewing your waste compliance processes or preparing for upcoming regulatory changes, please get in touch with our team. We can support with:
🔍 Compliance reviews to identify gaps in traceability or documentation
♻️ Waste Duty of Care assessments across your operations
💻 Preparation for mandatory digital waste tracking requirements
📋 Review of contractor compliance and waste transfer systems
⚖️ Legal update subscription to ensure your environmental legal register is updated twice a year
We’re here to help – contact us with any compliance-related questions or concerns.