Businessman fined for illegal burning of waste

Joseph McLaughlin has been ordered to pay £4,398 in fines and costs for illegally burning waste plastic and wood at his aggregate depot near Tavistock. The Environment Agency visited McLaughlin's business premises to investigate a report of a bonfire that contained mainly manufactured timber including plastic covered worktops and cupboard doors.
McLaughlin was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,398 costs after being convicted of illegally disposing of controlled waste, namely wood and plastic, by burning on land where there was no environmental permit in force.
'This prosecution serves as a warning to businesses. The burning of plastic contaminated waste is unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Potentially harmful chemicals including dioxins can be released into the atmosphere from this type of burning. Waste containing plastic must be sent to a properly licensed site for safe disposal,' said Sarah Taylor for the Environment Agency.