National Waste Crime Conference
New powers. New threats. New responses.
Waste crime costs the UK economy an estimated £1 billion every year - and the government has run out of patience. With a landmark Waste Crime Action Plan now published, new police-style enforcement powers on the horizon, mandatory digital waste tracking arriving in October and organised criminal networks increasingly targeting the sector, 2026 marks a decisive turning point.
Join us this November to understand what these sweeping changes mean for your organisation, and turn regulatory pressure into competitive advantage
Who's speaking?
About
The National Waste Crime Conference is the essential one-day event for everyone working to tackle illegal waste activity. Bringing together enforcement agencies, local authorities, waste management companies and policy makers, this is your opportunity to get to grips with the new regulatory landscape, hear directly from those leading the fight against waste crime, and connect with the professionals shaping the sector's response.
Key themes
- The Waste Crime Action Plan: What the government's new zero-tolerance approach means in practice
- New enforcement powers: PACE, Proceeds of Crime Act and what earlier intervention looks like on the ground
- Organised crime in the waste sector: Understanding the shift from small operators to sophisticated criminal networks
- Mandatory digital waste tracking: How October's new regime will transform prevention and detection
- Fly-tipping crackdown: Penalty points, clean-up squads and full cost recovery through the courts
- Technology on the frontline: Drones, AI-powered licence screening and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime
- Intelligence sharing: How the EA, police and local authorities are building a joined-up response
- The legitimate operator's role: How compliant businesses can support enforcement and protect their markets
Ticket Information
Early Bird: (Register before 29th September 2026)
Standard Conference pass:
£345 + VAT
Local Authority Conference pass:
£225 + VAT
Standard: (Register after 29th September 2026)
Standard Conference pass:
£405 + VAT
Local Authority Conference pass:
£240 + VAT
Who should attend
Enforcement agencies
Local authorities
Environment Agency officers, Joint Unit for Waste Crime staff, police forces, HMRC and National Crime Agency — those on the frontline of investigation and prosecution.
Waste managers, enforcement officers, policy leads and elected members responsible for fly-tipping enforcement, street cleansing and waste services.
Waste management companies
Policy & Government
Directors, compliance managers and operations leads at licensed waste carriers, treatment facilities and recycling operators who are directly undercut by criminal competitors.
Defra, DLUHC and devolved government officials, as well as parliamentarians with an interest in waste regulation and environmental enforcement.
Legal & compliance professionals
Technology & intelligence providers
Solicitors, barristers and compliance advisors working with waste sector clients on permitting, prosecutions and regulatory risk.
Companies developing drone, satellite, AI and data solutions for waste tracking, site monitoring and enforcement support.
Get involved
Join us at the UK's first dedicated conference on waste crime - bringing together enforcement, industry and policy at a pivotal moment for the sector. Engage as a speaker, showcase your expertise as a sponsor or partner, elevate your brand within the industry, or join us as an attendee to hear from those leading the fight against illegal waste activity and network with peers driving change.
