City centre business counting the cost of irresponsible waste disposal

A business in Leeds city centre is counting the cost for failing to deal with their business waste properly.

At a hearing at Leeds Magistrates yesterday (28 July) Convert2cash Limited of 51A New Briggate were fined £250, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £120 victim surcharge for failing to control their waste.

Despite previously being served with a notice to require them to keep all waste in the bin, keep the bin locked, and in the locked service yard at the back of the premises, two piles of refuse sacks and cardboard were found in the yard standing next to the half empty bin last October. It was found that all of this waste had been produced by Convert2cash Limited. A Fixed Penalty Notice was served for this offence but this was not paid. Further inspection of the yard in December 2015 found the bin to be open and overfilled.

Convert2cash Limited were subsequently charged with failing to control their waste as required by s.34(1)(b), Environmental Protection Act 1990, on the 20 October 2015, and failing to comply with the requirements of a notice served on them in accordance with s. 47, Environmental Protection Act 1990, and also failing to control their waste as required by s.34(1)(b), Environmental Protection Act 1990 on the 8 December 2015. At yesterday’s Magistrates’ court hearing, the owners of Convert2cash pleaded guilty to these offences.

 Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability, said:

“Businesses need to be really clear that they have a duty of care when it comes to how they dispose of their rubbish.

“Any reputable business – large or small – will ensure that the rubbish produced as they go about their daily work is disposed of properly and safely and does not create a blight for other business owners and members of public.

“Disposing of your business waste in a lazy and selfish way could ultimately end up hitting your bottom line and reputation when you end up in court.”