Dismantling company has been fined due to an illegal asbestos waste site

Reddem Ltd appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 13 February, in a case brought by the Environment Agency. The company pleaded guilty to one offence — operating an illegal waste site. And to another offence of storing and treating waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health, by storing asbestos-containing waste in open containers. But what led to this decision, and how will it affect the construction industry in the future?

The main source: Demolition contractor fined for illegal asbestos waste site

The story of the incident

The court heard that the dismantling company had been operating an illegal waste site at The Old Gas Works Yard on South Road in Wooler. It transports construction and demolition waste containing asbestos to the site before onward transportation for disposal.

Asbestos is a controlled waste and must be double-bagged and stored in sealed containers. Containers used to store asbestos must also be closed, and the material must not be transferred between different containers. Reddem did not have an environmental permit, which is required to carry out most waste management activities.

The court was told that the issue was first reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It was make by a local resident who regularly saw waste believed to be asbestos being brought onto the site and packed into large containers.

How was this dismantling company investigation finished, and how will it influence the industry in the future?

The company was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in court costs, as well as a £1,600 victim surcharge. An investigation by the Environment Agency found that more than 40 tonnes of asbestos-containing materials were later removed and taken to a properly permitted disposal site.

Gary Wallace, Area Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Asbestos is a well-known serious health hazard. And this company showed a complete disregard for the impact this could have had.”

“Environmental permits exist to protect the environment and communities, and we will take action against those who break the law. Waste crime harms communities and will not be tolerated.”

Fencyx, as one of the leaders in the UK building industry, is following this situation closely. We welcome this court decision and hope that, in the future, contractors will treat the storage of construction waste more seriously.

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