Waste firm owner fined £322k for illegal dumping at three Welsh sites

Between October 2018 and October 2019, Stephen Williams organised the unlawful deposit of around 2,600 tonnes of contaminated textile waste at three separate sites in Caerphilly, Cowbridge and Dolgellau.

Williams was the sole owner of two waste removal companies – Wenvoe Environmental and Servmax.

2,600 tonnes found across three sites

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers discovered approximately 1,843 tonnes of baled textiles contaminated with general refuse at Pen Yr Heol Las Farm in Caerphilly.

Williams had claimed the waste was intended for equine use, but it was deemed unsuitable and presented a significant fire risk.

At Crossways Industrial Estate in Cowbridge, officers identified a further 260 tonnes of similar waste.

The landowners, who were not involved in the operation, were left to pay £48,790 to clear the site.

A third location, at Hengwrt in Dolgellau, contained 527 tonnes of mixed waste, including clothing, carpets, foam and mattresses.

In each instance, Williams was served with a legal notice to remove the material and failed to comply.

Su Fernandez, Senior Enforcement Officer for NRW, said: “In this case, Stephen Williams demonstrated a sustained disregard for environmental law.

“The waste posed a significant fire risk and left landowners facing substantial clean-up costs.”

Sentenced to 21 months imprisonment

At Cardiff Crown Court on 3 October 2025, Williams was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must also complete five rehabilitation activity days.

The charges against Williams and his companies included operating waste sites without environmental permits, mixing and storing contaminated waste and failing to take proper steps as a waste broker to prevent illegal deposits by others.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the court assessed Williams’ available assets, primarily equity in property, at £322,500, and ordered him to repay this amount within three months.

Failure to do so will result in an immediate custodial sentence of three years and six months, which cannot be suspended.

Williams continued: “We welcome the outcome of this case and hope it sends a clear message that NRW will not tolerate the illegal disposal of waste.

“We will pursue offenders through the courts where necessary and use powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover the profits made from environmental crime.”