Middlesbrough-based waste haulier SB Recycling has been fined £14,400 for operating a waste facility without an environmental permit.
In a case brought by the Environment Agency (EA) Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told that illegal activities at a site in South Bank, Middlesbrough, known as the Junction Works were reported in 2012.
The Junction Works used to be used by a company called Skipfreight, but this had ceased trading and the associated environmental permit was no longer valid for new waste operations.
Malcolm Nee, a manager at SB Recycling who held the previous permit, was warned that he could not bring any waste onto the site without a valid permit. But waste was deposited there regardless of the law.
In November 2012, an investigating officer visited the site and found evidence that waste had been brought in and tipped in the yard.
Despite further warnings, SB Recycling never made an application for an environmental permit. In court, the company admitted one charge of operating a waste facility without the required permit.
Jonathan O’Neill, environment officer at the EA, said: “SB Recycling operated a waste facility with a blatant disregard for the environmental permits that are required by law.
“In the first instance, the Environment Agency attempts to advise companies on how they can operate within the rules - but when significant breaches are seen, we will prosecute.”
