The Remet Company Ltd, based in Cody Road, Tower Hamlets, East London, had tried to ship shredded refrigerator waste which included hazardous chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) but the container was stopped at the docks.
 Remet's shredded fridge waste with CFCs |
The firm, which runs a metal recycling facility, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on May 3, to one offence under the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994.
It was fined 9,000 and ordered to pay court costs of 16,017.
Inspection
The court heard how the Environment Agency inspected a container bound for China on
January 17, 2005 after HM Customs and Revenue, had advised it was suspicious of the contents.
When it was opened, regulatory waste officers noticed a strong and distinctive smell similar to solvents. Not only is it illegal to import CFCs to China, but they found the description of the container's waste said it held mixed metal scrap, with no mention of CFCs. Officers also discovered other waste materials, including plastic, wood and medicine strips.
Environment Agency regulatory waste officer Helen Ahmed said: “We are delighted the court has seen fit to fine Remet. It shows that we won’t hesitate to prosecute companies which export, or intend to export, waste illegally.
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Dr Ahmed added: “There is a legitimate and growing market abroad for recyclables, but there are rules covering waste exports and these need to be adhered to for the benefit of the environment both here and abroad. Under the rules, it's illegal for anyone to export waste for disposal, but items such as metal, waste paper or glass can be sent abroad for recycling.”
Under the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations, the maximum penalty a Magistrates' Court can impose for exporting waste illegally is 5,000 but in Crown Court it is unlimited.
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