Environment Agency increase recycling container inspections by 731% over three years

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New data from the Environment Agency has shown that it has substantially increased the number of container inspections of recycled material for export in three years.

In 2012 to 2013, it inspected just 167 containers, but in the period between April 2015 and March 2016, it inspected 1,388 containers, representing a 731% increase over the period.

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In its recently published evidence summary for 2015, the Environment Agency also said it found over 1,000 new illegal waste sites, stopped nearly 1,000 illegal waste sites and stopped more than 50% of new illegal waste sites within 90 days.

The Environment Agency also said that it estimates illegal exports of WEEE and household waste fell by 17% between 2014 and 2016 with a net benefit to the UK economy of £2.75 million.

Compared to 2014, total fines arising from the prosecution of companies involved in waste activities increased by 85%.

Between 2014 and 2015, the number of waste facilities increased by 2%. Poor performing permitted waste sites has fallen by 20%  and persistently poor performing permitted waste sites by 6%.