Shocking Illegal M25 Waste Site Continues to Expand Amid Environment Agency Probe
An illegal waste dump located adjacent to the M25 motorway in Essex has grown significantly, accumulating tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish, despite an active investigation by the Environment Agency that began in February 2025. Photographs obtained by Sky News reveal that the site, situated south east of Epping in Stapleford Tawny, remains operational, with recent images showing a lorry actively dumping waste as recently as February 6.
Environmental Crisis Unfolding Near London's Third Largest River
The seven-acre landfill, now buried several metres deep, poses severe environmental threats as waste spills into a small tributary that feeds directly into the River Roding, London's third biggest river. Paul Powlesland from the River Roding Trust described the scene as "absolutely heartbreaking", highlighting concerns that rainfall could wash toxins from the site into groundwater and the river system.
Sky News analysis of satellite imagery shows the land was green and tree-filled in October 2024, but by September 2025, it had transformed into a massive waste site, with clear dumping activity documented. The site contains a mix of processed building waste and domestic rubbish, including personal items like bank statements and immigration documents, indicating potential involvement by organised crime groups.
Waste Crime: A Growing National Scourge
This case underscores a broader national issue, with waste crime costing the UK economy around a billion pounds annually and legitimate operators losing an estimated £3 billion in missed business. It is believed that a fifth of all waste in England is illegally managed, amounting to approximately 34 million tonnes per year. The former head of the Environment Agency has likened this illicit activity to "the new narcotics", due to its profitability and environmental damage.
In response, Essex Police have arrested two individuals—a 55-year-old from Surrey and a 25-year-old from County Armagh—seizing a lorry, mobile phones, and a laptop as evidence. The Environment Agency is urgently seeking a restriction order to close the site and continues to gather evidence, with Barry Russell from the agency expressing public anger over such environmental crimes.
Local residents report acrid smells and toxic, metallic-blue puddles at the site, which seep into the tributary, exacerbating contamination risks. Sky News encourages those affected by fly-tipping to report incidents via email or WhatsApp for further investigation.
