A new report by think tank Localis called for reform of landfill tax to ‘cut down on waste crime’, including the involvement of organised crime.

Jonathan Werran, Localis chief executive, said: ‘Waste crime is toxic in that it spoils our natural environment, imposes costs on already cash-strapped councils and robs the Treasury of tax revenue.

‘Any serious attempt at place-based reform must look to addressing the iniquities and imbalances of how we tax it and then move to rigorous enforcement and prosecution of organised gangs.’

Landfill tax rates increased from 1 April to a standard rate of £103.70 per tonne and lower rate at £3.30 per tonne.

Since 2015 waste crime has risen in cost by 55% to an astonishing £1bn a year, with the report claiming organised gangs were exploiting the system or considering trivial fines they were handed as business costs.