There are reports for 2013 to 2015. Waste industry data for 2016 is included in the 2016 Regulating for people, the environment and growth summary.

These annual reports show facts and statistics about the number of permits the Environment Agency issued to the waste industry. They report the amount of waste that was recycled, reused or sent to landfill. The reports also give details of environmental consequences including:

• numbers of serious pollution incidents relating to the waste industry
• the waste industry’s environmental performance
• facts about illegal waste

The way society manages waste has changed radically over the last 20 years. More waste is recycled and reused than ever before. This has brought significant environmental benefits, but the many new and innovative waste treatments now available may cause increased risk to the environment if not properly managed. The reports explain how the Environment Agency is adapting its regulatory approach to manage these risks.

See the 2015 datasets that support the 2015 report.

See the 2014 datasets that support the 2014 report.

See the 2013 datasets that support the 2013 report.

These reports are for 2013 to 2015. Pollution incidents data for 2016 is included in the 2016 Regulating for people, the environment and growth summary.

These annual reports show serious pollution incidents in England. They provide facts and statistics about:

• the number of serious pollution incidents
• impacts of pollution incidents and their sources
• sectors responsible
• action the Environment Agency takes to reduce pollution incidents
• enforcement action the Environment Agency takes when pollution incidents happen

Serious pollution incidents can harm people and the environment as well as damage businesses. To cause or allow pollution is against the law. The Environment Agency provides advice and guidance on pollution prevention and also takes enforcement action if a pollution incident happens.

See the 2015 datasets that support the 2015 report.

See the 2014 datasets that support the 2014 report.

See the 2013 datasets that support the 2013 report.

The Environment Agency has evaluated the impact of an additional £5 million in funding to tackle waste crime.

Rogue operators undercut legitimate business, evade landfill tax and have a negative impact on people and the environment. Waste crime costs an estimated £1 billion a year from unpaid taxes, lost revenue for legitimate businesses and the associated impacts on people and the environment.

This project was set up to tackle three priority outcome areas: reducing the risk from illegal waste sites, reducing the mis-description of waste, and reducing the illegal export of waste.

The impact evaluation findings show that the Environment Agency’s activities in tackling waste crime have a net positive effect on both people and the environment, but also offer good value for money to the taxpayer.

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On 27 November 2017, Yorkshire Water Services Limited appeared at Sheffield Crown Court and pleaded guilty to charges relating to a water pollution incident in Doncaster which led to the deaths of several hundred fish.

They were fined £45,000 and ordered to pay Environment Agency costs of £24,762.56 as well as a victim surcharge of £120.

Proceedings were brought by the Environment Agency following the pollution incident in April 2014 where raw sewage was discharged from the defendant company’s pumping station at Sandy Lane, Belle View in Doncaster, South Yorkshire into a water course and ultimately into 2 local ponds.

The discharge of sewage resulted in a raised level of ammonia in the water of the ponds and a reduced level of dissolved oxygen for a considerable period of time. The pollution from the illegal discharge was traced for over 3.5km downstream from the pumping station and a large number of fish died due to the toxic effects of ammonia.

Yorkshire Water Services Limited operates the pumping station under an environmental permit, and is required to ensure the site operates correctly. There was a breach of conditions of the permit on this occasion which caused an unlawful discharge.

Richard Moore, Team Leader at the Environment Agency said:

Safeguarding the environment is an essential part of how all water companies must operate. The sentencing in this case shows we will continue to take companies to task where they fail to meet environmental standards.