COMPOST FIRM BREACHES WASTE LICENCE

25/05/2005 - The Environment Agency today issued an enforcement notice to a green waste composting firm at Queen Charlton near Keynsham, Bristol after local residents complained of smells from the site.
An inspection and audit this week found that Hinton Organics was storing excessive volumes and height of waste. There was almost 50 percent more waste than authorised and the material smelled strongly up to quarter of a mile away from the composting operation at Queen Charlton Quarry. The waste was also not being stored on a sealed concrete pad.

Now the Environment Agency has taken action to ensure the waste is reduced and the problems with odour resolved by requiring the company to take specific steps on site to improve the situation by June 3.

"We have responded to complaints about smells from the composting plant and until we are satisfied that the waste management licence conditions are being met the site is not accepting any new material," explained Ian Withers for the Environment Agency.

"We hope the situation will be resolved as quickly as possible as this is a key facility for green waste recycling in the area."
The site takes green waste from two councils: BANES and South Glos. The Environment Agency is liasing with the local authorities.
The Environment Agency free 24 hour hotline for pollution or other environmental matters is 0800 80 70 60.