S B Recycling Ltd, in Normaby Road, was sentenced at Teesside Magistrates’ Court this week (September 16) after the firm was found to have been depositing waste illegally between October 2012 and June 2013.
The prosecution follows an investigation by Environment Agency officers into a South Bank site known as the Junction Works.
The site used to be used by a company called Skipfreight, but this had ceased trading and the associated environmental permit was no longer valid for new waste operations.
However, Malcolm Nee – a manager at S B Recycling who held the previous permit – continued to allow waste to be brought on to the site regardless of a warning that he did not have a valid permit, the Agency said.
The court heard that illegal activities at the site were first reported in November 2012, when an Environment Agency officer visited and site and found evidence that waste had been brought in and tipped in the yard.
Despite further warnings, S B Recycling has never made an application for an environmental permit. In court, the company admitted one charge of operating a waste facility without the required permit.
‘Blatant disregard’
Commenting on the prosecution, Jonathan O’Neill, environment officer at the Environment Agency, said: “S B Recycling operated a waste facility with a blatant disregard for the environmental permits that are required by law. In the first instance, the Environment Agency attempts to advise companies on how they can operate within the rules – but when significant breaches are seen, we will prosecute.
“Companies that attempt to dodge environmental laws place the local environment at risk of pollution and they undermine legitimate businesses.”
He added: “Anyone who believes a waste site may be operating illegally is urged to inform the Environment Agency by calling our hotline, on 0800 807060.”
As well as the fine, the company was ordered to pay over £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120.
The court also made a wasted costs order of £300 against the firm’s defence solicitor David Scourfield, of David Scourfield Solicitors, following three ineffective hearings that the court agreed had been the solicitor’s fault.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, S B Recycling Ltd could not be reached for comment.
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