The Environment Agency has said the number of high risk illegal waste sites in the second quarter of 2020/21 is the “lowest it has been”, but still narrowly missed its target.
The Agency narrowly missed its target but the number of active waste sites has reduced
In its corporate scorecard for the period covering 1 July to 30 September 2020 , the Agency reported that the total number of high risk sites reduced by 13 to 237, which is the “lowest it has been”.
However, this still narrowly missed its target of 227.
The Agency also saw “far fewer” new active and high risk sites compared the previous quarter, which recorded a total of 250 sites.
And, the amount of stopped sites and high risk sites compared to Q1 has increased by nearly 50%, however the public body said that this in part corresponds with the restart of risk based field work.
Traffic light system
The Agency uses a traffic light system to show how it is performing, with green meaning it is performing at or above the targets set, amber falling slightly short and red meaning there are improvements to be made.
The Agency forecasted an ‘amber’ light for Q2, and ‘red’ light for the end of the year.
Influence of covid-19
The scorecard reads: “Nationally this quarter we have seen far fewer new active and high risk sites recorded compared to quarter one. The number of stopped sites and high risk sites compared to quarter one has increased by near 50%. This in part corresponds with the restart of risk based field work.”
“We continue to see the influence of COVID-19 on the way we conduct business. Environment Agency staff adhere to social distancing, national guidance and localised lockdowns where possible. Environment Agency staff continue to use office based assessments, other remote interventions and field work where the risk has been assessed.”
Missed targets
In 2019/20, the EA previously missed targets for reducing the number of high-risk illegal waste sites, reporting a total number of 255, which was well above the target of 196 (see letsrecycle.com story).
The corporate scorecard is reported every three months to executive directors and the board within the Environment Agency, and show initial quarterly data figures which is subject to change.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
