WASTE RECYCLING
Large fi nes for dumping toxic waste at Co-op
TWO directors of South West Recycling Ltd, John Barcham and Lee Phelan, have been given suspended prison sentences after the company illegally dumped thousands of tonnes of toxic waste on a site in Avonmouth, Bristol.
The hazardous waste was used as a new Co-op distribution centre’s building aggregate, which also lead to the South West Recycling being fi ned a further £22,450 after it was discovered builders at the site were exposed to deadly materials.
The health-aff ecting material contained asbestos, toxic chemicals such as cyanide, and heavy metals, which could have leaked into the area’s water supply.
The prosecution of the two directors and the company fi ne came as a result of a fi ve-year Environmental Agency investigation and nine-week trial at Bristol Crown Court in 2017.
South West Recycling, formerly known as Churngold Recycling, breached the Environmental Act multiple times, while operating a waste transfer site at Hallen Yard, on the Severn View Industrial Estate in Avonmouth, supplying soil aggregate. The Hallen site was also a drop-off point for collected waste from around the UK, to be treated.
It was on 7 September 2011 Churngold supplied the fi rst
load of toxic-contaminated building aggregate to the Co-op distribution centre at Cabot Park, Avonmouth; 64,000 tonnes were transported to the site over the next two weeks.
Workers at the Cabot Park site complained the Churngold material caused “runny and sore eyes”, while another worker stated the material smelt like “faeces and bleach”.
In September 2011, a whistleblower notifi ed the Co-op harmful material had been delivered by Churngold, and the building of the Co-op distribution site was suspended in December 2011.
Bristol Crown Court heard Barcham told the company’s environment manager: “We don’t tell the EA what we are doing. We do it and then tell them how we’ve done it.”
The company failed to inform the Environment Agency of the amount of hazardous material being stockpiled at Hallen Yard, or where it had come from. The sheer volume of materials arriving at the site made it impossible to segregate or treat them properly.
The Environment Agency investigation revealed Churngold illegally disposed hazardous waste including asbestos, plastic, metal pipes, foam pipe lagging at a second site, Minors Farm in Hallen.
RVS win major Ubico maintenance contract
REFUSE Vehicle Solutions Ltd (RVS), have been awarded a fi ve-year contract by Ubico Ltd, West Oxfordshire, to provide maintenance services for 70 vehicles.
The fl eet of vehicles compromise of light goods’ vehicles, as well as plant and machinery from RCVs.
South Gloucestershire-based RVS provide an all-under-one-roof refuse vehicle service, from the supply of new or quality-used vehicles – to remanufacturing capabilities, and a host of support services such as short- term vehicle hire, contract hire, repairs, maintenance, fi nance, and a low loader service for vehicle transportation.
Mark Hulbert, Corporate Fleet Manager of Ubico Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to announce RVS is the successful contractor, after a prudent OJEU procurement process.
“RVS are a local company that understands the Ubico Ltd business model ,and they have been able to demonstrate the ability to meet the needs of our business.”
RVS Managing Director, Spencer Law said: “We have been working with Ubico Ltd for a couple of years, providing vehicles and we are delighted they have chosen
42 SHM November, 2017
High fi ves: Paul Brown, RVS (left); Mark Hulbert and Bob Lightfoot, Ubico (middle); Spencer Law, RVS (right) (
www.refusevehiclesolutions.co.uk).
to utilise our expertise in preventative maintenance to keep their fl eet and machinery operating smoothly.”
To facilitate the contract with Ubico Ltd, RVS will be opening a workshop in the area, and are already recruiting engineers to keep the fl eet operational. Details of the vacancies are on the RVS website
Ubico Ltd is an environmental services company serving the public sector, and currently provides street cleaning and grounds maintenance services for West Oxfordshire District Council - taking over their waste and recycling services last month.
www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk
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