Benji and Co and its Director, Peter Rees, appeared before Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on 14 October 2025 after admitting to serious breaches of environmental regulations across multiple sites in mid Wales.
Tyre waste far exceeded allowed limits
Between January and June 2022, Benji and Co operated a waste site at Gwern Tyddyn, Llanidloes, without the necessary environmental permit.
The company unlawfully stored and treated waste tyres at the site in quantities exceeding the limits allowed under waste exemptions.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers visiting the site discovered vast quantities of end-of-life tyres – including baled, shredded and loose tyres – stored in unsafe conditions.
Officers estimated the presence of over 200 tyre bales, more than 1,000 loose tyres and 40 tonnes of shredded tyre waste.
Despite repeated visits and advice from NRW dating back to 2018, the company failed to bring the site into compliance.
The storage conditions presented a significant fire risk, in breach of both T8 and U2 waste exemptions, which only allow limited, low-risk waste activities under strict controls.
Defra is currently considering ending the T8 exemption, as outlined in a policy paper published on 18 July 2025, which the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) describes as a “much exploited loophole” in the UK’s waste regulations.
Waste crime spread across mid Wales sites
In addition to the Llanidloes site, the company also unlawfully deposited baled tyres at several other locations across Powys between March and December 2022.
These included Newhouse Farm Newhouse Farm in Aberhafesp, Rhossllyn in Nantmel and Llys Fynydd in Llanidloes.
NRW investigations found that the waste was transported and deposited without the necessary environmental permits, again in breach of regulations.
Having already carried out illegal operations at its own premises, Benji and Co Limited extended its activities by transferring waste tyres to other unregulated sites.
Jeremy Goddard, Team Leader for the Waste and Enforcement Team, mid Wales, at NRW, said: “This case highlights the importance of following environmental rules. Permits and exemptions exist to protect people, nature and the wider environment.
“Ignoring them puts communities and the environment at risk and undermines the integrity of the waste management system. We will always take action where we find serious non-compliance.”
Fines amounted to £69k
The court fined Benji and Co £10,000 for each of four offences, totalling £40,000, and ordered the company to pay £15,000 in prosecution costs. The company was also required to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Company Director Peter Rees was personally fined £10,000 for his role in the offences, having pleaded guilty to consenting to, being complicit in, or neglecting his duties in connection with the unlawful activity carried out between January and June 2022. He was also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge.
In total, the fines and costs amount to £69,000.
Goddard added: “The prosecution reflects NRW’s commitment to tackling illegal waste activity and holding those responsible to account.”
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