UK scrap metal business fined heavily for waste violations

LONDON (Scrap Monster) : The UK Environment Agency (EA) has imposed hefty fines on Hampshire-based scrap metal recycling firm for failing to comply with the waste storage specification standards.

The action by the EA follows complaints by the local community about waste violations by Dase Engineering at its Bishops Waltham site. The site had been under close scrutiny by the EA officials. Investigations by EA authorities revealed that the site had failed to keep itself up to the stipulated standards despite regular inspections by authorities. Earlier in 2011, the company was served with an enforcement notice too.

According to the EA, Dase Engineering failed to meet minimum standards despite several warnings. The scrap metal company had not taken any concrete steps to clean up the site. There were complaints from local community regarding the manner in which waste oils and fluids and waste car batteries were stored at the site. The site lacked adequate safety mechanisms to store explosive components and was alleged to be contaminating local ground water resources.

The Fareham Magistrates Court fined Dase Engineering a total of £20,000 plus costs on two separate cases of waste offences. The company however claimed that the offenses were not deliberate and the company has already spent nearly £15,000 to remedy the issues.