Three directors of now-liquidated waste management company Leeds Paper Recycling Ltd (LPR) have been charged with waste crime offences by the Environment Agency (EA) as part of an ongoing investigation into unauthorised waste found on Goole Docks and Knostrop Depot during 2012.

Jamie Michael Todd, Michael George Todd and Thomas Todd, who were all involved in running the waste management company based in Valley Farm Road, Leeds, each face six charges relating to waste storage at the two sites without the required environmental permits.

Investigations into LPR, which was placed into liquidation on 24 April 2013, are continuing.

All three men were bailed to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 4 June.

Background

The EA investigation into the illegal waste disposal at Goole Docks was brought about after residents complained about odour and flies at the dock site in 2012.

An enforcement notice to remove 4,050 bales of waste, left by Leeds Paper Recycling (LPR), by December 31 was issued last year, however with a ‘significant proportion’ of the waste still remaining in January this year, the EA put in motion legal proceedings against NW Trading, the company that leases the land.

The last of the waste bales were removed from the docks in February.

The company was also charged with illegally disposing of 17,000 bales of waste at the Knostrop Depot in Leeds, which caused similar problems of odour.

Louis Harvey, Environment Management Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said: “These charges relate to significant amounts of household waste found at sites in West Yorkshire and East Riding. Waste of this nature can have a detrimental impact on the environment as well as local communities, so it is vital that companies know their responsibilities and adhere fully to waste management regulations.

“Although we cannot comment in detail about this particular case at the present time, we can say that, where we believe waste crimes have been committed, the Environment Agency will actively investigate and take appropriate action.”

Leeds Paper Recyclng insolvency

Leeds Paper Recycling, which changed its name to Whiteside Ltd on 12 April, was placed into liquidation by accountancy firm KPMG following a meeting of creditors last week (24 April).

According to the accountancy firms, theliquidation was brought about “due to a shortage of working capital which arose following its failure to secure additional investment”.

The LPR trading name and business assets were sold to Waste Recycling and Destruction (WRD) Ltd on April 9.

As the business is in liquidation, the EA is now in discussion with the Knostrop depot as to how waste might be removed from the two buildings in questions.