Prosecution last month hands down negligible penalty.
A demolition company based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight and its director have been fined for storing asbestos illegally at Rosemary Copse Farm.
Ryde Demolition Company Ltd was fined £12,500 with a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £4,000, while its director, Neil Harrison, was also fined £1,108 for storing asbestos waste without a waste permit and failing to comply with the hazardous waste regulations.
Harrison admitted the charges at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court, Newport.
The Environment Agency received a report in April 2017 that Ryde Demolition Company Ltd were storing asbestos in a large container skip.
Environment Agency officers attended the site and Mr Harrison admitted he had been transporting and depositing asbestos waste at Rosemary Copse Farm. He stored the waste at the farm until the asbestos container was full and then he would remove it to the mainland.
The company also admitted to not using consignment notes correctly and for failing to submit consignee returns for the movement of the hazardous waste.
Richard O’Callaghan, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Mr Harrison’s actions showed a blatant disregard for the environment. We have previously prosecuted Mr Harrison for a similar offence in December 2013. Asbestos is a hazardous waste and needs to be transported and stored correctly. In cases like this we have no hesitation in prosecuting those involved.”
“To ensure the right waste gets to the right place, we encourage the public and businesses to check that their waste carrier is registered on Gov.UK. If you are getting rid of any hazardous waste, including asbestos you should receive a ‘consignment note’ that tracks the waste. If your waste carrier is not registered, then you must use one that is.”
