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Recycling firm Niramax Group Ltd, which pleaded guilty to environmental offences at Teesside Crown Court, has been fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in legal costs. The Hartlepool-based company was prosecuted by the Environment Agency following an investigation.
The violations relate to Niramax’s sites at Tofts Farm in Hartlepool and at Monument Park in Washington. In Hartlepool there had been complaints about dust and it was found that the firm was not properly storing shredded tyres and the site was deemed a fire hazard.
The Washington site, on the other hand, suffered “preventable” fly infestation.
“It’s inevitable that dealing in waste is expensive and it’s important that corners are not cut either deliberately or negligently,” said Recorder Mark McKone, as quoted by Hartlepool Mail.
Rachael Caldwell, enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency, noted that they always treat operators with fairness, ensure that companies understand the potential impact of their activities, and work with them to help bring sites into compliance.
She said Niramax repeatedly showed little regard for the detrimental impact on neighbours and the environment.
“And during our investigation they even described our actions – to protect the environment and the community – as ‘nit picking’,” added Caldwell. “I hope this case reassures our communities that we will do everything possible to ensure operators comply with their permit, and take enforcement action when they don’t.”
Meanwhile, according to letsrecycle.com, Niramax reported challenges last year and cited “significant insurance claims ongoing” following a 2015 blaze at its Hartlepool refuse-derived fuel production site.
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