Defra confirms new legislation will lift the limit on civil monetary penalties that can be handed out by environmental agencies
Industry survey reveals widespread fears that waste regulations are being routinely breached by criminal gangs
Environmental Investigations Agency alleges farmers, regulators, and voluntary initiatives are failing to stamp out illegal burning, burying, and exporting of toxic plastic waste
Environment Minister announces fresh moves to tackle dangerous waste practices and pledges to end waste crime by 2043
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticises Defra and the Environment Agency over 'slow and piecemeal' progress in tackling escalating waste crime
Environment Agency waste crime prosecutions have fallen from a high of 800 per year to just 50 in recent years
Environmental Services Association research suggest waste-related crime has surged over 50 per cent in three years, potentially costing taxpayers £1bn
Environmental consultancy Anthesis and waste analytics company Topolytics secure grant funding to help digitise tracking of household and commercial waste
Changes to Basel Convention make it illegal to ship plastic waste between countries without prior consent, but fears remain over escalating plastic crisis
Terry Soloman Dugbo is currently serving more than seven years in prison for e-waste crimes