06/01/2006 - A Wigan man pleaded guilty to illegally carrying controlled waste after he was caught transporting concrete debris from his fencing business, during a spot check in Liverpool city centre. David Proe, of Standish, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £350 costs to the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution.

Anyone transporting waste in the course of a business or for profit must be registered as a waste carrier with the Agency and must also have a waste carrier consignment note with a full description of the waste and where they are taking it.

Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told that the Environment Agency was involved in a Liverpool City Council led multi-agency operation with DVLA, HM Customs & Revenue and Merseyside Police.

Police vehicles fitted with automatic number plate recognition equipment were patrolling an area around Greenland Street, looking for vans which appeared to be carrying waste and inspected them. The Agency undertakes routine patrols with the assistance of local police forces.

Under caution David Proe confirmed that he was carrying debris from his business and said he intended to take the waste to a local tip; such tips are licensed with the Agency but are provided for householders to dispose of household waste free of charge, whereas someone disposing of waste as part of a business may not be allowed to dispose of the waste at the site or may be required to pay a fee to do so.

Special Enforcement Officer Dave Hogg said: "Illegally carrying waste will not be tolerated by the Environment Agency. It undermines the registration system, which is intended to inform the Agency of who should be carrying waste and facilitates checks on where that waste is being disposed. It is also unfair on the carriers who do comply with the law and pay to register with the Agency. Illegal disposal of waste has a dramatic impact on the economy and can damage the environment."

Any householder who arranges for someone to take away waste should also check that they are registered waste carriers. Waste carriers should always be able to give the householder their waste carrier registration number and a receipt for the waste. Instant checks on a waste carrier's registration can be made by ringing the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 or on the Agency's website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk. You can also find local registered waste carriers by phoning the same number or going onto the web site.

Registered waste carriers have a duty of care to ensure that waste is securely stored, transported and disposed of and must take reasonable steps to keep waste safe. This applies to anyone who produces or imports, keeps or stores, transports, treats or disposes of waste. It also applies to people acting as a broker.

Registration as a new waste carrier currently costs £136 and lasts for 3 years. The cost for carriers who wish to re-register is £96. Businesses likely to need to register with the Environment Agency include builders, carpet fitters, electricians, plumbers, window fitters, gardeners and tree surgeons. Anyone uncertain about registering or requiring advice should contact the Agency on 08708 506 506.

For further information on waste regulations visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk. If you witness any fly-tipping incidents please call the Agency's confidential hotline 0800 80 70 60.

Notes:

On Thursday January 5 at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, David Proe, of Moors Lane, Standish, Wigan, pleaded guilty to the following offence:

On 9 August 2005 he, not being a registered carrier of controlled waste, transported controlled waste in the course of business, contrary to section 1(1) of the Control of Pollution (Amendment ) Act 1989.