Household waste transfer site loses permit

A household waste transfer site which committed a number of waste offences has had its permit revoked by the Environment Agency (EA).


According to the EA, Sitec Limited based in Orpington, Kent persistently failed to comply with its permit over a two year period, as well as continually failing to act on EA warning and enforcement notices. The company continued to store quantities of household skip waste at “significantly higher” levels than its permit allowed.

As a result, on April 27 the EA prosecuted Sitec at Bromley Magistrates Court where it was forced to pay a total fine of £75,000.

Despite this court action, the EA said Sitec continued to store household skip waste at higher levels than its permit allowed, leading the EA to revoke the permit in December and stop authorisation for the company to operate a waste business at the site.

EA environment officer for Tideway & South London, Chris Back said: “Sitec Ltd’s activities had the potential to cause serious damage to a highly protected conservation area nearby and also have an amenity impact on the local community.

“The rules on how to transport, recover and dispose of waste are in place to protect the environment and people’s health. We will advise companies as much as possible but we will not hesitate to take swift and decisive action against anyone who flouts these strict controls. We hope this action sends a clear message to all operators that we will, where appropriate take permits away.”

Another company is now operating at the site under a new stricter controlled environmental permit.

Carys Matthews

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