Haulier agrees to charity donation after waste failings

A transport firm in Cornwall has agreed to pay £14,000 to two environmental charities after failing to comply with waste regulations.

Winfield Transport was responsible for deposits of waste soils and stones at a site in the county that was operating illegally between July 2022 and February 2023. 

The landowner of the site was prosecuted last year after he ignored multiple warnings and formal notices.

Over 10,000 tonnes of household, demolition and hazardous waste, including asbestos, was found at the premises.

By depositing the waste, the Environment Agency (EA) said the company avoided an estimated £8,100 in waste disposal costs.

The haulier has now agreed to pay £14,000 to The Woodland Trust and the Westcountry Rivers Trust.

The EA said that as part of the agreement, the company also reviewed its procedures and provided refresher training to staff.

The company was one of three businesses that will pay a total of £28,500 to charities for failing to comply with legal requirements.

The other two companies were Ranjit Farming, which was investigated after it received £2,700 tonnes of shillet at its Newton Abbot farm and did not comply with tonnage limits.

The firm agreed to pay £6,000 to Devon Wildlife Trust.

Gwella Contracting Services is to pay £8,500 to The Woodland Trust after storing asbestos waste at its Exeter and Bristol branches without a permit.

Tim de Winton, area environment manager, said: “Waste regulations are in place to protect people and the environment, and it is essential that all companies follow the rules.

“Improperly handled waste undermines legitimate businesses, poses a threat to the environment and harms local communities.”

[The image used is a stock picture]