Two companies that subcontracted clearance work to a cowboy operator that fly-tipped the waste in Colchester have been fined and made to pay charges totalling more than £45,000.
A plant nursery paid waste and demolition firm Walsh & Sons in Brentwood £25,000 to clear its site, but it then subcontracted the work to Calahans Cleaning Services in Standford Le Hope.
Calahans employed a skip company to take the waste but it failed in its duty of care to check if it was registered to carry waste, ask where the waste would be taken, or complete any transfer of waste papers.
The waste was fly-tipped at Lodge Farm in Great Horkesley and outside a unit in Axial Way, Colchester. The failure to complete and retain paperwork meant it was impossible to trace the fly-tippers.
Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court was told that Nick Walsh, director at Walsh & Sons, had acted “with integrity” once he knew of the fly-tipping and had arranged for the waste to be cleared within nine hours.
Both companies pleaded guilty and apologised for the errors made.
Walsh & Sons was ordered to pay a fine of £33,500 and costs of £2,924.26 and Calahans Cleaning Services was fined £6,000 with costs of £2,924.26.
Environment Officer Sarah Frost said: “The duty of care cannot simply be delegated to another company.”
