The Northern Ireland Environment Agency carries out regular visits and inspections of all licensed/permitted waste sites; and Polygon Recycling is no exception to this policy.
Following the most recent inspection at the beginning of November, Polygon is pleased to report a clean bill of health with regard to record keeping, however, the matter of mushroom growers who are not fully committed to the recycling process was called into question.
As a permitted waste operator, Polygon Recycling has a duty of care to keep accurate records of all transfers of waste materials, which mushroom growers will recognise as the Waste Transfer Notes issued by Polygon when waste mushroom compost bags and polypropylene casing bags are collected for recycling.
Remember, the onus is on all parties to comply with the Duty of Care regulations and dispose of waste plastics responsibly, as failure to do so can lead to imprisonment of up to five years or fines of up to £20,000, under the Waste & Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
In its Annual Report 08-09, the NIEA reports: “During the reporting year, the ECU (Environmental Crime Unit) secured 62 criminal convictions against illegal waste offenders, generating £207,250 in fines, in addition to 4 suspended prison sentences.”
The NIEA also states: “Failure to take due diligence in dealing legally with your waste is likely to result in you:
a) Being prosecuted;
b) Receiving a criminal record on conviction;
c) Receiving a significant fine (the maximum fine for each waste offence is now £50,000) and/or imprisonment;
d) Being directed to clean up a site with resulting significant costs; and
e) Being referred for criminal confiscation or civil recovery by the Serious Organised Crime Agency, where there has been benefit from criminality.”
As Polygon Recycling provides a free collection service for waste plastic, it would seem both foolish and irresponsible not to take advantage of this service.
Finally, Seán and Dawn Kernan would like to wish all the mushroom growers linked to their recycling service a Very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
