Farmer and haulier fined for tipping waste on farm
The Environment Agency has revealed details of a conviction it secured against a farmer and a haulier for tipping waste on a site in Plympton, Devon.
According to a statement from the Agency last week, 20 July, Philip Skelley, 63, of Higher Bughill Farm, Plympton, was fined £1,340 and ordered to pay £94,000 for “benefiting economically” from allowing waste beyond his permit level on his land.
Additionally, he incurred costs of £6,380 after admitting to operating a waste facility without an environmental permit.
Accomplice K.P.T. (SW) Ltd, a Plympton-based haulage company, was fined £6,667 and ordered to pay £3,180 in costs. Moreover, they were required to pay an additional £11,109 for the “economic advantage” gained from the unlawful actions. The company was given an eight-week deadline by Plymouth magistrates’ court to settle the full amount.
In total, the court proceedings resulted in penalties exceeding £120,000, serving as a stern reminder of the consequences for improper waste disposal and violations of environmental regulations.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Limits and conditions to waste tipping are clearly set out on exempt activities. Skelley decided to ignore the limit for financial gain, while K.P.T. (SW) Ltd failed to check what the limit was. The Environment Agency will actively pursue such offending.”
Keep Britain Tidy to review code of practice on litter and refuse
Keep Britain Tidy has announced a review and update of the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse in England.
The code offers “crucial guidance” to land managers, local authorities, and other duty bodies on fulfilling their legal responsibility to maintain litter-free land. Despite some minor additions, the code has not seen an update in 17 years.
The charity will collaborate with stakeholders, including local authorities and managers of publicly accessible land, to shape the revised guidelines. The updated code will align with current legislation and consider changes in the technological, economic, and social landscape.
Moreover, it will address standards more clearly and encompass guidance for managing litter in areas with “special circumstances,” such as motorway verges and central reservations.
Defra environment minister, Rebecca Pow said: “We are committed to supporting councils to combat litter. That’s why we have provided nearly £1m for local authorities to purchase new bins, increased the upper limit for on-the spot fines and published guidance on effective enforcement. I am pleased that Keep Britain Tidy will also be reviewing and updating the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, building on the government’s litter strategy, to improve the quality of the local environment for everyone.”
Liz Truss visits paper mill in Kings Lynn
On June 30th, 2023, the Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, former UK Prime Minister, and Southwest Norfolk MP, paid a visit to Palm Paper in King’s Lynn to “highlight the significance” of paper recycling and manufacturing for the local and British economy.
( Picture: Palm Paper)
During the visit, Truss and Palm Paper’s management team discussed the recycling and waste segregation processes. Palm explained that they work closely with local authorities in developing their waste strategies and providing futureproof and sustainable solutions.
Rt Hon Liz Truss MP said: “The paper industry is a vital component of the UK economy, providing jobs and driving growth across a range of industries. It is fantastic to see how this mill is utilising the most innovative techniques to produce high-quality paper products whilst minimising its environmental impact.”
J.P Morgan names waste and recycling company in top 200 women-lead businesses in the UK.
Waste and recycling company, Willshee’s, based in the Midlands, has been recognised as one of the Top 200 women-lead businesses in the UK by J. P. Morgan in its annual business report.
(Picture: Wilshee)
Securing an impressive 59th place in the UK Women-Powered Business Report, Willshee’s stands as the largest independent waste and recycling company in the East Midlands. For close to four decades, they have been delivering domestic, industrial, and commercial waste solutions with a strong presence in the region.
J. P. Morgan compiled the report by analysing 13,255 high-growth UK companies, specifically focusing on those founded, led, managed, or owned by women. The ranking criteria encompassed growth in sales, headcount, and valuation. The report highlighted businesses that are either founded by women, led by women, have a management team with at least 50% women, or are majority-owned by women.
Maria Willshee, a director of Willshee’s Waste & Recycling said: “We are all very proud to receive this independent recognition from J. P. Morgan which is a very important milestone in our four decades of helping our customers to manage and recycle their waste sustainably. It’s part of our long-term vision to continue to build a diverse and inclusive workforce as we look to accelerate our growth across the Midlands.”
Every Can Counts announces winners of national recycling award scheme
Every Can Counts, a not-for-profit organisation that works to encourage people to recycle their drink cans, has announced this year’s winners of its national recycling award scheme: Crewe Clean Team, Bodega 51 and Haileybury School.
Crewe Clean Team, has been won an award for recycling over 200,000 drink cans in the past decade by Every Can Counts.
Bodega 51, a bar in Rochester, Kent, stood out by recycling every can consumed on-site since its opening in May 2022, totalling more than 25,000 cans. Additionally, they raised £200 for the mental health charity, Mind, by selling the cans to a local scrap metal business. Bodega actively encourages others in the community to drop off clean and crushed aluminium cans for recycling.
Haileybury School in Hertford earned a Green Can Award for installing 30 aluminium recycling boxes in common areas and boarding houses, promoting recycling among peers, teachers, and visitors. As a reward, the school’s Sustainability Committee attended a workshop on the infinite recyclability of aluminium, learning about the melting process and creating their own keyrings from recycled aluminium. Since 2014, Every Can Counts has commended a total of 28 schools, community groups, and organisations for their recycling efforts.
Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager at Every Can Counts, said: “We’re very excited to announce this year’s winners of our Green Can Award scheme and are very grateful to Crewe Clean Team, Bodega 51, and Haileybury, for their amazing recycling efforts.”
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