A Gateshead based recycling firm has been fined by the Environment Agency due to operating their sites without the necessary environmental permits.
Since investigations began in May 2011 the company was receiving mixed recycling waste to a site that should only have accepted pre-sorted plastics. Also, items such as mattresses and wood were delivered to a site that is only permitted to receive pre-sorted scrap metal.
The EA has issued the company with a £10,000 fine for operating without the correct permits and the company was also ordered with paying £2,000 in legal costs.
This offence demonstrates the implications of working without correct environmental permits and licences. Jim Crammon from the EA environment crime office commented: “The result of this case demonstrates that environmental crime is a serious offence. [The company] carried out a number of activities without being properly licensed, and there were continued breaches in spite of our advice.
“Following the Environment Agency’s investigations, we are pleased to be able to say that the company has responded positively by obtaining appropriate permits and improving its practices to ensure the permits are not breached in the future.
“Waste operations of this nature could potentially have a harmful impact on the environment and the local community – that’s why it is vital that companies know their responsibilities and operate within the conditions of their environmental permits.”
