Recommendation 23

The Agency estimates that around 14 million tonnes of waste are legitimately exported each year. The Agency told us that tackling illegal export of waste is “one of our top priorities” and “we are active in trying to stop it”.81 It accepts this will require the 71 Qq 55–56, 65–67 72 Qq 43, 45; C&AG’s Report, Figure 18 73 Qq 45, 46 74 Qq 52–54 75 Qq 55–58 76 Qq 60–61 77 Qq 59, 62 78 Qq 62–63 79 GWC0007 (SUEZ) 80 Q 47 81 Q 81 Government actions to combat waste crime 17 Agency to work more over the next few years with the recipient countries of illegal waste exports than it has previously. The Agency believes that most illegally exported waste is going to non-OECD countries, which are less able to process the waste and more damaged by getting it.82 In future the Agency plans to use the tonnage of waste that is not going to illegal export, because of Agency interventions, as a performance metric.83