The operator of a waste site in Sittingbourne, Kent has been handed an eight-month prison sentence for the illegal disposal, sorting and treatment of construction and demolition waste at the site.
John Millen, 50, who had traded as K.M. Millen Grab Hire, last week (April 12) received the custodial sentence at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to using the Gas Road site for illegal waste transfer activities.
Images taken by Environment Agency officers from the Gas Road site
The Environment Agency brought charges against Mr Millen following an investigation in December 2014 which had suggested that over 40,000 tonnes of waste had been illegally deposited on the site.
Compliance
According to the Environment Agency, Mr Millen was then provided with clear guidance on the action he was required to take to bring the site into compliance and was issued with an Enforcement Notice to clear the waste from the site by the end of March 2015.
However, after the three months had expired none of the waste had been removed and he continued to crush, treat and deposit waste the Agency claimed.
According to the Agency, the activities being undertaken by Mr Millen were in clear breach of environmental legislation and would have required an Environment Permit. Mr Millen did not apply for an appropriate Environment Permit and continued to operate, avoiding significant costs to his business, the regulator claimed.
Up to 40,000 tonnes of waste was deposited at the site, Environment Agency officers have claimed
Alan Cansdale, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Mr Millen was fully aware that he was not allowed to store that amount of waste on the site, but continued to accept more construction and demolition waste whilst ignoring the advice and guidance issued to him by Environment Agency Officers. His actions put the environment at risk.
“Waste crime can undermine legitimate businesses, so we work closely with businesses to help them comply with the law. In cases like this, where illegal operations are connected to licensed businesses, we have no hesitation in prosecuting those involved. We want to make sure that waste crime doesn’t pay.”
Control
Whilst passing sentence, Judge St. John-Stevens said that Mr Millen was the “controlling mind of the business” and he ignored advice offered from the Environment Agency regarding the operations.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
