Waste management firm Hinkcroft Transport has been fined 65,000 after admitting to a series of waste permit breaches at its South London site.
The company, which is based on Landmann Way in New Cross, faced two charges under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2007 and 2010 in relation to the operation of its waste transfer site.
In a case heard at Croydon Crown Court last week (April 28), it emerged that the main breaches of the companys permit related to persistent foul odour which was said to be creating misery for nearby residents over a two-year period.
It was also found that issue had stemmed from waste taken in by Hinkcroft from the South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP) plant, which is on an adjacent site to Hinkcrofts yard. The SELCHP energy-from-waste plant is managed by Veolia Environmental Services.
According to the Environment Agency, Hinkcroft accepts waste from the SELCHP plant when it encounters unplanned closures or is stopped for maintenance. During these periods, Veolia diverts 25-30% of waste inputs to the Hinkcroft site.
This additional waste was said by the Agency to be a major cause of odour due to the fact it placed Hinkcroft at over-capacity and led to increased working hours.
Furthermore, Hinkcroft resorted to shredding mixed degradable waste to increase handling capacity a practice which increased odour and was not covered under the companys environmental permit.
Between July 2008 and June 2009 Hinkcroft was found to have exceeded its permitted limit for degradable household, commercial and industrial waste by 22,000 tonnes. And, between July 2007 and June 2008, it exceeded its 95,000 tonne permitted limit by 44,000 tonnes.
Complaints
Following a spate of residents complaints including a complaint from Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock 59 permit breaches were found by Environment Agency officers over the course of 41 visits to the site between January 2008 and December 2009.
And, Ms Ruddock, prompted by complaints about odour and dust affecting residents, also initiated a meeting with the company and its directors to discuss environmental compliance.
The Environment Agency held drop-in sessions for residents in May 2009, where Hinkcroft issued a statement acknowledging it had caused odour and dust problems. However, at a meeting in July 2009 on the Hinkcroft site, the Agency said it detected an unpleasant odour from rotting waste.
In the wake of the meetings and drop-in sessions, Hinkcroft was found to be shredding putrescible waste on site a move that the Environment Agency said was likely to increase odour. Hinkcroft was issued an enforcement notice regarding these activities in November 2009.
The enforcement notice was followed up by a meeting with Hinkcroft where the enforcement notice was discussed but the Environment Agency said breaches persisted at the site until at least February 2011.
Sentencing
On sentencing, His Honour Judge Brasse said the case involved serious breaches of the permit which affected the amenity of the local area and interfered with the residents enjoyment of their homes and local environment. In addition to the 65,000 fine, the company was also ordered to pay 22,387 in costs.
Commenting on the case, Environment Agency officer Jess Lockett said: Despite our attempts to remedy the problem through warning letters, meetings with the company and enforcement notices, the company demonstrated a blatant disregard for its permit conditions, the environment and misery caused to local residents.
This case demonstrates that the courts will hold companies to account for breaches in their environmental permits, particularly when they have an adverse effect on the lives of the local community.
Hinkcroft Transport was unavailable to comment at the time of publication, while a spokesman for Veolia told letsrecycle.com said that they had no comment to make regarding the court case.
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