New Government Watchlist Exposes Nearly 30 Illegal Waste 'Super Sites'

A fresh government watchlist has identified nearly 30 suspected illegal waste "super sites" across England, each holding tens of thousands of tonnes of refuse. Published by the Environment Agency (EA) on Friday, the list comprises 117 "high priority" locations, with 28 classified as "super sites" due to their waste volume exceeding 20,000 tonnes.

The most significant site on the list is a 281,000-tonne mound of contaminated soil in Northwich, Cheshire. This location was previously highlighted in a BBC investigation in January, which revealed 11 such large-scale sites. While the EA estimates there are approximately 700 illegal waste sites in total, the agency stated that this prioritized list was released "to enable residents to see where we are acting."

The watchlist features sites currently undergoing cleanup efforts by the EA, including locations at Hoads Wood in Kent and Kidlington in Oxfordshire. Additionally, massive tips in Wigan and Sheffield, which collectively hold nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste, are included. These specific sites have been designated for potential taxpayer-funded clearance under the government’s waste crime action plan. However, the EA clarified that it is not generally financed to remove other sites on the watchlist, intervening only in exceptional circumstances.

The agency explained that the sites selected for immediate cleanup were chosen "due to a specific criteria, which includes posing a serious environmental risk and impact on the local community," noting that this decision was driven by the government.

Skepticism remains among local stakeholders. Geoff Howarth, who owns a business adjacent to the Sheffield site, told the BBC that the new list provided him "no more faith whatsoever" that increased action would follow. He argued that the agency must "step up" its efforts to combat illegal waste and prevent criminal recidivism. Howarth also suggested that public funds should only be used for cleanups if the land is owned by the criminals, allowing it to be seized and sold to recover costs.

The identified locations involve a variety of materials, ranging from household trash and construction debris to asbestos and tires. Some are unpermitted tips operating illegally, while others are privately owned rural lands used for dumping massive rubbish piles.

The EA has urged the public to report any concerns or information regarding the sites listed, which the agency intends to update monthly as part of its continuous monitoring efforts. The agency noted that detailed information would remain restricted to avoid compromising ongoing investigations and future enforcement actions; only broad locations and the nature of the sites will be published.

Philip Duffy, chief executive of the EA, described waste crime as a "serious blight" on both the environment and local communities. "Publishing this watchlist is a deliberate act of transparency - communities need to know that we are acting, and we want those committing these crimes to know that we are coming for them," Duffy stated. "We are using every tool at our disposal to find those responsible and encourage anyone with information to come forward."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-22 14:28:43 UTC