24/01/2006 - The Environment Agency is reminding businesses
they face prosecution if they do not operate in accordance
with their Waste Management Licence and in particular by
accepting wastes which are not permitted. This follows the
successful prosecution of Rotunda Group Limited, of Crowland
Street in Southport, which was fined £9,000 at Southport
Magistrates Court. The company, which was trading as Southport
Skip Hire, was also ordered to pay £2,185 costs.
Rotunda pleaded guilty to knowingly permitting the deposit
and keeping of asbestos other than in accordance with a
waste management license and on a second site which had
no licence or exemption
The Agency has a legal obligation to regulate where special
waste can be deposited, treated and disposed. This is to
minimise health risks and the damage to the environment.
Environment Agency Officer Janet Eastham said: "Waste
Management Licences are in place to impose strict criteria
to protect the environment and human health. The conditions
imposed on a licence reflect, amongst other things, the
types of waste permitted. Sites that knowingly accept non-permitted
waste, in this case asbestos, are clearly illegal, irresponsible
and anti-social and we will continue to take action against
anyone caught doing so.
"Asbestos is a hazardous waste which, if inhaled,
can cause asbestosis or fibrosis of the lungs, lung cancer
or mesothelioma, a cancer of the inner lining of the chest
or abdominal cavity. Therefore to knowingly permit this
waste to be deposited at a site which isn’t suited to dealing
with it means the effect can be significant.
"This case should send a clear message to all producers
and carriers of waste to ensure they know how to safely
manage their wastes and check that the companies they deal
with are licensed and competent."
Companies and individuals can contact the Environment Agency
for advice and information on special waste by contacting
08708 506 506. Members of the public can report environmental
incidents to the Agency's emergency hotline on 0800 80 70
60.
Notes:
On Monday 23 January at Southport Magistrates’ Court, Rotunda
Group Limited, of Crowland Street in Southport, was found
guilty of the following offences:
On 3 September 2004 it knowingly permitted the deposit
of Special Waste on land at Crowland Street, Southport Merseyside
when there was no waste management license in force authorising
that deposit, contrary to section 33(1)(a) and section 33(6)
of the Environmental Protection Act 11000. Fined £2,000
Between 3 September 2004 and 3 October 2004 it kept controlled
waste on land at Crowland Street, Southport Merseyside other
than in accordance with a waste management license, contrary
to section 33(1)(b) and section 33(6) of the Environmental
Protection Act 11000. Fined £2,000
On or around 3 October 2004 it knowingly permitted the
deposit of Special Waste on land at Mellors, Butt Lane,
Southport Merseyside when there was no waste management
license in force authorising that deposit, contrary to section
33(1)(a) and section 33(6) of the Environmental Protection
Act 11000. Fined £2,000
Between 3 October 2004 and 18 January 2005 it kept controlled
waste on land at Mellors, Butt Lane, Southport Merseyside
other than in accordance with a waste management license,
contrary to section 33(1)(b) and section 33(6) of the Environmental
Protection Act 11000. Fined £2,000
It failed without reasonable excuse by 9 November 2004
to furnish to the Environment Agency information required
by a Notice in writing dated 1 November 2004 and served
on it pursuant to section 71(2) of the Environmental Protection
Act 11000, contrary to section 71(3) of the Environmental
Protection Act 11000. Fined £1,000 |
