Biffa guilty of exporting banned waste
to China Biffa has been convicted of breaking the law by labelling household rubbish as ‘waste paper’ and exporting it to China.
The Environment Agency investigated the bundles, and found that instead of waste paper, household waste including plastic bags, nappies, sanitary towels, clothes, toiletries, glass, plastics and electrical items were found in 25-tonne containers bound for China.
Sending unsorted household waste to China has been illegal since 2006. Only paper waste can be legally sent to the country, and the Environment Agency said jurors did not accept Biffa’s claim that the contaminated bundles were made up of waste paper.
Biffa ‘strongly contested’ the decision and is said to be considering an appeal, arguing that its containers were regularly inspected by Chinese customs agents, and that
firms buying the waste often inspected the containers before they were shipped to ensure they contained the industry standard 98.5% pure paper.
Sentencing has been deferred until 27 September. The EA say Biffa has agreed to a £9912 crime payment.
Obituary: David A S Clark
We are saddened to report on the passing of David A S Clark, a respected and much- loved figure in the cleaning industry.
Born in Walthamstow, London in 1935, David – or ‘Bilko’ as he was known to many of his friends – first joined the industry when he started Stretton Chemicals in his garage, before moving out into a butcher’s basement, then a timber yard warehouse, before building offices and warehouse in a Lye industrial estate.
David was an early member of JANSA, the Janitorial Suppliers Association (now known as the CHSA), where he rose to council member and in 1979 became Chairman. He was also an active member of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Guild of Master Cleaners (now the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners), and in 1999 he became Master.
Following Stretton Chemicals, David’s other successes include Stretton Contract Services, Unger Equipment UK, Diplomat International, and even though he officially retired in 2000, he continued to be an active part time director for Trojan Bins Ltd.
We would like to pass on our condolences to David’s friends and family at this difficult time.
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
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