Scrap metal company fined for supplying contaminated soil

CANTERBURY (Scrap Monster): Leading East Anglian waste management and recycling firm Glazewing Ltd has been fined by the Norwich Crown Court for supply of contaminated soil to Wretton, Norfolk farm. Earlier, residents had complained that the soil supplied to five fields off West Dereham Road was contaminated with plastics, metals, cables and other household waste. The company separates out scrap metal from soil and supplies the soil to farmers.

The Court in its verdict last Thursday stated that nearly 4,000 tons of soil supplied to five fields in August last year were found contaminated. It further ordered the company to pay £3,600 as fines and additional £4,718 in costs to Environment Authority (EA). The prosecutors noted that basic checking of the soil would have prevented it from being transported to the fields. They further noted that the company was negligent in carrying out its essential duties.

According to second annual waste crime report released by EA authorities, 1,279 illegal waste sites were stopped during 2012-’13. The number of stoppages skyrocketed by more than 70% when compared with 2011-’12. On the other hand, the total fines imposed during 2012-13 dropped to £800,000 when compared with £1.3 million during the year before.

Glazewing located at Station Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk has been in the business for nearly 25 years now. They are a licensed transfer station and scrap metal merchant.