Environment agency unveils new high‑tech crackdown on waste crime

On 20 February 2026, the Environment Agency (EA) announced a strengthened package of surveillance and enforcement measures designed to tackle illegal dumping and disrupt organised criminal waste networks across England.

A central feature of the EA’s new waste‑tracking capabilities is a fleet of 33 drones equipped with advanced laser‑mapping technology. These drones can detect subtle changes in land elevation that may indicate buried or recently deposited waste. By producing precise 3D models of the landscape, they enable officers to identify suspicious activity that would often go unnoticed at ground level. The technology also allows the EA to survey remote or hazardous locations safely and efficiently. As a result, the Agency will be able to broaden the scope of its inspections, accelerate the identification of illegal dumping sites and strengthen the prospects of enforcement action where operators fail to comply.

This technological expansion is supported by a revamped Joint Unit for Waste Crime, comprising 20 specialists who will work closely with police and other enforcement partners to dismantle organised criminal networks. The government has also increased the EA’s enforcement budget by more than 50% to £15.6 million. Commenting on the investment, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasised the importance of adopting cutting‑edge tools to “shut down illegal operators faster and more effectively.”

Further changes are on the horizon. The Digital Waste Tracking Service is scheduled for rollout in spring 2026. Mandatory participation for permitted waste receiving sites begins in October 2026, with wider obligations for other operators applying from April 2027. The system is expected to improve transparency across the sector and introduce automatic, data‑driven penalties for non‑reporting and misclassification.

While enhanced enforcement technologies alone will not eradicate waste crime, the scale of the EA’s investment signals a more coordinated, intelligence‑led approach to tackling the issue. For legitimate operators, the increased surveillance promises greater protection against non‑compliant competitors and a more level playing field. If implemented effectively, this strengthened package of measures could represent a significant shift in how environmental offences are detected, prevented and prosecuted.

Clyde & Co are specialists in dealing with environmental and regulatory claims, and we closely monitor developments around these topics. For more on this subject, you can read all of our previous articles here, and if you have any questions about this topic you can contact Stephanie Lunt or any of our Safety, Health, Environment and Regulatory team