regulators & relevant organisations
A number of government departments and external organisations are concerned with environmental issues in the United Kingdom. This section highlights the key agencies and how to contact them, click on the relevant country:
England & Wales
DEFRA
Telephone: 08459 335 577, email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is concerned with a wide range of environmental matters. It is charged with looking after the country's natural resources, and promoting sustainable development. DEFRA also keep records and statistics on UK government and international targets on recycling and conservation. Their website is a very useful resource and well worth a visit!
The Environment Agency
email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency (EA) is the arm of the UK government that is responsible for maintaining a clean environment, and a sustainable approach to rubbish management. It works in many ways to achieve this, for example by regulating industry, maintaining flood defences and water resources, and improving wildlife habitats. The EA also brings prosecutions against companies that have breached government regulations concerning waste disposal and conservation.
The National Assembly for Wales Environment Protection Division
Telephone: 029 20825111,
email: environmental.protection.division@wales.gov.uk
The Environmental Protection Division is concerned with all areas of the environment in Wales, including air and water quality, climate change, flood defence and waste management.
Scotland
SEPA
Telephone: 01786 457 700
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency's mission is "to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland which will both improve the environment and contribute to the government's goal of sustainable development." SEPA is charged with looking after the air, water, land and disposal of hazardous waste, such as radioactive materials. The organisation can also bring about prosecutions against offenders under government regulations.
The Scottish Executive Environment Group
Telephone: 0131 244 7311, email: environment@scotland.gov.uk
The Scottish Executive Environment Group is concerned with all areas of the environment in Scotland. The group takes measures to improve the quality of the air, keeps an eye on climate change, the ozone layer and anything that poses a threat to the safety and sustainability of the environment.
Northern Ireland
EHS
The Environment and Heritage Service is concerned with maintaining water quality, regulating pollution, promoting environmental quality, waste management and controlling radioactive materials. Its overall aim is the promotion of a pleasant and healthy environment. This involves protecting wildlife sites, habitats and species, Country Parks and Nature Reserves, countryside and the coast. Human activity on land and in water, archaeological sites, historic monuments and buildings, industrial remains and designed historic landscapes are also addressed by the EHS.
The Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)
Telephone: 028 9054 0540, email: press.office@doeni.gov.uk
The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland aims to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations. It looks after land use planning and aims to improve and promote road safety through the proper regulation of drivers, vehicles and operators.
ENCAMS
Telephone: 01942 612621, email: enquiries@encams.org
ENCAMS is an environmental charity that promotes practical ideas in rubbish management. Its key aim is to achieve sustainability through education by working with local communities, authorities, and businesses. ENCAMS runs a variety of practical campaigns all over the UK. It manages the long-running, successful 'Tidy Britain Campaign' aimed at litter prevention, and has formed many strategic partnerships with local authorities in waste prevention and reduction.
WRAP
Telephone: 0808 100 2040
The Waste and Resources Action Programme seeks to establish, and maintain markets for recyclable materials and products. WRAP looks at specific materials such as wood, glass, paper and plastic and is concerned with the industrial, commercial and domestic waste streams. The organisation seeks to find innovative methods of obtaining recyclable materials and of funding waste management programmes. The website has useful information on acquiring and selling recyclable materials.
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