EA Warns of Major Inspection Increase Amid Rising Waste Incidents
Regulator Warns of Need for Stronger Oversight
The Environment Agency (EA) has warned that England will require a significant boost in inspections, enforcement activity and regulatory intelligence to address the escalating number of waste-related environmental incidents.
In its Second Chief Regulator Report, published on 21 November 2025, Chief Regulator Jo Nettleton said that improved monitoring is now exposing “the true scale of environmental harm”, with the waste sector responsible for the largest share of serious pollution cases recorded in 2024.
Nettleton highlighted that serious incidents have now reached their highest point since 2013. She emphasised that the Agency needs clearer standards, better data and stronger enforcement tools to intervene earlier and more effectively.
According to Nettleton:
“We are applying digital intelligence, clearer standards and modern regulatory practice to protect the environment while enabling sustainable growth. Regulation should help responsible businesses thrive while ensuring polluters are held to account.”
The report does not specify whether additional funding will be provided to deliver these ambitions, but it does note that the EA’s cost recovery and charging framework is due to undergo “significant transformation” to fully reflect regulatory workload.
Waste Sector Identified as Leading Contributor to Pollution
The EA’s report identifies waste, alongside agriculture and water management, as a key source of environmental concern. Poorly operated sites, gaps in compliance and increasing levels of waste crime were cited as major drivers of environmental harm.
In 2024, waste operations accounted for the largest number of serious pollution incidents of any regulated industry – nearly a quarter of all major incidents that year.
The Agency recorded 146 serious cases relating to permitted and exempt waste activities in 2024, representing a 57% increase compared with 2023.
A particular spike was seen at landfills and deposit-for-recovery sites, where serious incidents more than tripled, rising to 76 cases during 2024 alone.
Earlier in the year, the House of Lords urged the government to commission an independent review of national waste crime enforcement. In a letter to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, the committee criticised the existing enforcement landscape, noting:
- persistent shortcomings in the EA’s enforcement performance
- minimal impact from the Joint Unit for Waste Crime
- insufficient engagement from police forces
The committee concluded that the current system “is no longer fit for purpose”.
EA Sets Out Plans for Expanded Inspection Activity
Looking forward, the report sets out a range of actions the Environment Agency plans to prioritise in order to reverse the increase in serious pollution incidents and strengthen regulatory compliance.
A central commitment is a major expansion of inspections and enforcement work, supported by:
- additional regulatory staff
- improved digital monitoring tools
- more data-driven risk assessments
- modernised systems and processes for “more efficient” regulation
The Agency has pledged to complete 10,000 inspections by March 2026.
Nettleton noted that increased visibility is already uncovering repeated failings at long-standing problem sites and locations with inadequate controls.
The EA also plans to upgrade its regulatory systems to create a clearer, more coherent oversight framework.
How Affordable Waste Management Supports Compliance
As the Environment Agency intensifies inspections and strengthens enforcement, businesses must ensure their waste processes are fully compliant, well-documented and handled by licensed carriers. Affordable Waste Management helps organisations across the UK reduce risk through reliable collections, transparent reporting and clear regulatory documentation. If your business wants to stay ahead of tightening standards, streamline waste handling and eliminate compliance concerns, our team is ready to support you with straightforward, cost-effective solutions.