Illegal hazardous waste activities gets fine

Rotherham-based skip hire company Samann Environmental Systems Limited was found guilty at Rotherham Magistrates Court on 10 June 2008 on two charges relating to depositing hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste.

The charges were brought by the Environment Agency under the Environmental Protection Act. Samann Environmental Systems Limited was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1, 415.38.

For the Environment Agency, Sheila Lodhi told the court that Samann Environmental Systems Limited operates a skip hire company and waste transfer station at Kiveton Park opposite a closed landfill site.

On 20 March 2007, six skips containing hazardous waste of asbestos and foundry waste were found on the closed landfill.

In an interview with Environment Agency officers, Samann Environmental Systems Limited confirmed that it was done under instruction of the Managing Director. The Managing Director said he was aware that he needed a notice to be able to transfer Hazardous Waste, but hadn't done so. He also said that he knew that he wasn't allowed to bring hazardous waste onto the site and it shouldn't have been deposited on the closed landfill.

Speaking after the case James Beckett, an Environment Agency Officer involved in the investigation said: “Samann Environmental Services Limited deliberately went against the law. The company was illegally depositing hazardous waste, which has the potential to put both human health and the environment at risk.”

In mitigation, Mr O'Brien, speaking on behalf of the company, stated that the company had been trading for almost 10 years and does not usually deal with asbestos.