Environment Agency targets illegal waste sites and arrests four men in a raid on an Essex industrial estate

(26/01/2010)

Illegal vehicle scrap yards present a danger to the environment, as acids, oils and other vehicle fluids are left untreated, often draining into the ground or even watercourses. These illegal sites also undercut legitimate businesses who take measures to safeguard the environment.

The Environment Agency has arrested four men in a raid on an Essex industrial estate. The raid was just one of 30 operations the Environment Agency is currently mounting to target illegal waste sites.

The estate, in Rettendon, Essex, has a history of illegal waste activities, including the unlicensed storage, deposit and treatment of scrap metal and scrap cars. Following a six month surveillance and intelligence gathering operation, Environment Agency officers and Essex Police swooped on the site, and found unlicensed skips full of waste, several hundred scrap vehicles still containing hazardous substances such as oil and brake fluid, and piles of other scrap metals.

Last year the Environment Agency shut down over 100 illegal vehicle scrap yards in England and Wales, but it estimates that rogue traders could still be netting millions of pounds every year dealing in scrap vehicles.

Two million vehicles each year in the UK reach the end of their life. These vehicles contain a number of dangerous substances which, if not collected and appropriately treated or disposed, are highly toxic pollutants.

The European End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive aims to reduce the amount of waste from scrapped vehicles. These vehicles are classed as hazardous waste until they have been fully treated. Currently, over 80 per cent of the weight of a typical vehicle is re-used or recycled.
Prosecution examples:
· September 2009: illegal ELV site operator Christopher Brian Williams, 57, convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court in August and jailed for six months at Mold Crown Court in September.
· December 2008: illegal ELV site operator Daniel Power prosecuted and ordered to pay almost £190,000 by Swansea Crown Court under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation.
· April 2009: unregistered waste carrier Jan Kwiatkowski found guilty and fined £1,000 and £600 in costs.
· November 2008: illegal ELV site operator Malcolm Grange prosecuted and fined over £18,000 and made subject of a 12-month Community Order with 60 hours’ unpaid work.

Sarah Chare, head of the national enforcement team at the Environment Agency, said: “Illegal car scrap yards are a huge problem for the environment, as there are no safeguards in place to prevent pollution. We managed to shut down hundreds of illegal sites last year, and will continue to crack down on unlicensed operators who put the environment at risk.

“We are ensuring that waste crime does not pay, and we regularly prosecute unlicensed operators, who can receive prison sentences, fines, injunctions and even have the assets gained through the proceeds of crime seized.”

In addition to being tough on illegal operators, the Environment Agency works with trade associations to bring scrap yards into compliance. Working in collaboration with local authorities, the car recycling industry and trade associations as part of the Waste Crime Innovation Programme, the Environment Agency will continue to target these sites and encourage legal businesses to report rogue operators.

Related categories:  Environmental legislation   Pollution control technologies