Richard Monks, a director of Greenbox Recycling Kent Limited, was fined £5,525 with £9,000 costs, having pleaded guilty to the charges in a personal capacity.
Andrew Malyan, employed as a driver by the company was fined £3,689 with £3,000 costs, whilst Robert Clark, a farm manager, was fined £1,205 with £3,000 costs at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Tuesday (24 May).
The prosecution followed a complaint to Maidstone borough council in November 2012, which led Environment Agency officers to inspect the site at Marlow Farm, near Charing.
According to the Agency, upon attending the site, officers observed evidence that controlled waste had been burnt. Further investigations identified vehicles with Green Box livery depositing waste wood, with their drivers either setting fire to the waste themselves or allowing others to do so.
The Agency added that Richard Monks did not instruct or encourage any of the drivers to carry out the activities, but accepted that he knew that some loads of wood were being taken to Marlow Farm to be burnt.
Greenbox is a licensed waste transfer business located at Ashford Industrial Centre, Cobbs Wood in Ashford. The business accepts wastes, including waste wood, for sorting and treatment prior to being sent for lawful disposal or recycling elsewhere.
Charges
Charges against Greenbox were withdrawn by the Environment Agency in April 2016.
Following the prosecution, the company noted that District Judge Baron, who presided over the hearing on Tuesday, gave credit to Mr Monks for his good character and full cooperation throughout the investigation.
The judge also highlighted the fact that a discount in fine would be given to Mr Monks for accepting responsibility at an early stage for the charges.
However, Mr Monks has expressed his ‘personal disappointment’ that the Agency has pursued a ‘lengthy and costly’ prosecution in relation to the ‘relatively minor’ breaches.
‘Responsibilities’
In a statement, the company added: “Greenbox Recycling Kent Limited continues to take its environmental responsibilities very seriously and continues to work alongside the relevant authorities as well as clients and stakeholders in this regard.”
Alan Cansdale, environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Their actions showed blatant disregard for the environment. Waste crime can undermine legitimate businesses.
“In cases like this where illegal operations are connected with licensed businesses, we have no hesitation in prosecuting those involved as we want to make sure that waste crime doesn’t pay.”
Register for free to comment