An estimated 4,000 bales of waste materials have been cleared from an industrial site in Oswaldtwistle by Wigan-based Blakeleys Waste Management.
The successful clearance of the waste was completed last Friday (August 17) with the waste going to a Viridor landfill.
The bales had caused a fly infestation in nearby properties in the Yorkshire town and there was a disagreement between Blakeleys and the site landlord over the issue (see letsrecycle.com story).
A spokeswoman for Blakeleys said: We are pleased to announce that on Friday 17 August we completed the removal of the waste bales from the site at Nook Lane, with the co-operation of the Environment Agency and Hyndburn Council.
We would again like to thank the people of Oswaldtwistle for their patience while this work was carried out. Blakeleys Waste Management regrets its involvement in this incident and is continuing to take legal action against the landlord of the site.
The local authority, Hyndburn borough council, also welcomed the removal of the bales earlier this month describing them as household and commercial waste although Blakeleys has emphasised the material is of commercial origin for later recycling and recovery work.
Now, further investigation of the storage of the waste is expected by the Environment Agency alongside an ongoing dispute between the landlord and Blakeleys. The company claims it had entered into an arrangement in good faith with the landowner and began using the site in June, storing commercial waste temporarily prior to further recovery but there is now disagreement over whether or not the site had the appropriate permit.
Blakeleys has also been keen to reassure its customers that the company had not knowingly stored the material illegally at the site and is extremely concerned that the situation has arisen.
Waste to energy
The company has released more details and an image of its proposed waste to energy plant at its Wigan site. Full planning permission has been given and while construction has not yet started, Blakeleys expects the facility to be completed by the end of 2014.
The company said the multi-million pound facility will use state-of-the-art separation equipment to maximise the recycling of all waste brought to site.
The Blakeleys spokeswoman added: It will ultimately produce green electricity from the residual waste normally destined for landfill sites, therefore offering a zero landfill solution to its customers.
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In addition to work the companys education officer is undertaking with local schools, the proposals also include a nature reserve that will increase biodiversity and create additional habitat for protected species. The centre will further enhance the companys ability to educate young people in the philosophy of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
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