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