Biffa Waste Services is convicted of illegally exporting more than 1,000 tonnes of household waste including soiled nappies and hairpieces and labelling it as paper then dumping it in Asia
- Biffa Waste Services convicted sending more than 1,000 tonnes of waste to Asia
- Investigation stopped sixteen 25-tonne containers travelling from Southampton
- Wood Green Crown Court heard how Biffa logged various items as paper
- The tightly-packed waste included soiled nappies, tins, hairpieces and plastics
One of Britain’s biggest waste disposal firms has been convicted of illegally exporting more than 1,000 tonnes of household waste for the second time in two years.
Biffa Waste Services was convicted of sending more than 1,000 tonnes of waste collected from private homes, labelled as paper, to Asia.
An Environment Agency investigation prevented sixteen 25-tonne containers travelling from Southampton to Asia in 2018 and 2019.
Biffa was also convicted of exporting a further 26 containers that sailed before they could be stopped.
Biffa Waste Services was convicted of sending more than 1,000 tonnes of waste collected from private homes, labelled as paper, to Asia
An Environment Agency investigation prevented sixteen 25-tonne containers travelling from Southampton to Asia in 2018 and 2019. Pictured: Some of the waste Biffa claimed was waste paper
Wood Green Crown Court heard how Biffa logged various items as paper at its depot in Edmonton, north London.
The tightly-packed waste included soiled nappies, tins, hairpieces and plastics, as well as clothing and food packaging.
Investigators said the bundles gave off a ‘putrid’ odour. All of it was destined for one paper mill in India and two more in Indonesia.
The jury did not accept Biffa’s claim that consignments leaving its premises complied with the law because they contained waste paper.
Malcolm Lythgo, head of waste regulation at the Environment Agency, said: ‘We are pleased with the court’s decision.
‘We want all producers and waste companies to be responsible and make sure they only export material that can be legally and safely sent abroad for recycling.
‘Illegal waste exports blight the lives and environment of those overseas. The Environment Agency will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those found to break the rules.
Biffa was also convicted of exporting a further 26 containers that sailed before they could be stopped. Pictured: Some of the waste Biffa claimed was waste paper
‘We prevented the illegal export of almost 23,000 tonnes of unsuitable waste in 2019/20, and are working with the Government on a number of measures that would tighten controls. These include increased monitoring of international waste shipments, and charging higher fees to improve compliance.’
The court was told Biffa, which registered a £1billion turnover last year, continued to export waste despite being fined £350,000 for shipping similar prohibited material to China in 2015.
Stephen Young, enforcement officer at the Environment Agency, said: ‘This was a significant and successful investigation into one of the UK’s biggest waste firms.
‘The Environment Agency will continue to pursue operators who flout the law by sending household waste to developing countries.’
Wood Green Crown Court heard how Biffa logged various items as paper at its depot in Edmonton, north London. The tightly-packed waste included soiled nappies, tins, hairpieces and plastics, as well as clothing and food packaging (pictured)
Biffa Waste Services, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was convicted of four breaches of regulation 23 of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007. Pictured: Some of the waste Biffa claimed was waste paper
Exports of unsorted household recycling waste from the UK to India and Indonesia has been banned since 1994.
All UK waste exports should meet regulations on waste shipments, and the Environment Agency has a system of inspections in place to verify compliance.
Biffa Waste Services, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was convicted of four breaches of regulation 23 of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007.
The company is due to sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court later this week.
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