We are concerned that the Agency is not doing enough to prevent the illegal export of waste. The Agency estimates that around 14 million tonnes of waste are legitimately exported each year. In the five years to 2020–21, the Agency inspected 1,100 shipping containers per year on average, preventing around 18,000 tonnes of waste from illegal export and saving the economy £1.3 million annually. The Agency believes that most illegally exported waste goes to non-OECD countries where controls on th...

We are concerned that the Agency is not doing enough to prevent the illegal export of waste. The Agency estimates that around 14 million tonnes of waste are legitimately exported each year. In the five years to 2020–21, the Agency inspected 1,100 shipping containers per year on average, preventing around 18,000 tonnes of waste from illegal export and saving the economy £1.3 million annually. The Agency believes that most illegally exported waste goes to non-OECD countries where controls on the harms this waste may cause are weaker. The Agency accepts that, despite its efforts, it does not know the total amount of waste that is illegally expor Type: conclusion | Number: 6 | Response status: accepted Government response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Recommendation implemented A response has been provided to the Committee by Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, sent to the committee on the 30th of November. HMRC is also collaborating w