11/08/2005 - Environment
Agency officers have recently visited a number
of suspected illegal skip operators in Wakefield,
Castleford, Pontefract and neighbouring areas.
An arrest has been made and further action
is being considered against other operators.
Investigations into sites in the area are
continuing, and the Environment Agency anticipates
further prosecutions.
The Environment Agency warns that companies
collecting waste must be licensed. The sites
they take waste to are routinely inspected
to ensure any negative environmental impact
is minimised. Sites operating illegally pose
a greater threat to the environment and public
safety.
Matt Womersley, Environment Officer, said:
"This operation is part of a wider crackdown
on illegal waste activities. People and companies
need to be asking important questions when
they pass their waste onto someone else, be
it a skip company or a man in a white van.
They should be checking the person is authorised
to take the waste and they should be sure
they know where the waste will be taken. Failing
to ask these questions could result in prosecution.
"These checks also apply to people operating
licensed waste facilities. They have a duty
to check where the waste has come from. If
anyone suspects a waste management business
is being operated illegally, they should contact
the Environment Agency in confidence on 0800
807060."
