Three directors of Leeds Paper Recycling, which this week went into liquidation, have been charged with waste crime offences.
Jamie Michael Todd, Michael George Todd and Thomas Todd, who were all involved in running Leeds Paper Recycling, based at Valley Farm Road in Leeds, each face six charges relating to waste storage at two sites without the required environmental permits.
The men were charged by the Environment Agency as part of an ongoing investigation into unauthorised waste found in 2012 on Goole Docks and in industrial units at Knostrop Depot in Leeds.
Environment Agency investigations into Leeds Paper Recycling, which went into liquidation under the name Whitecase Ltd, are continuing.
Around 4,000 bales of household waste were found on Goole Docks after creating odour problems for local residents and businesses, prompting the Environment Agency to launch an investigation and get the bales moved without the taxpayer incurring costs. The last of the bales were taken to landfill in Feburary.
At the Knostrop depot, two buildings were found to contain 17,000 bales of waste, which had also caused odour problems. Following the insolvency of the company, the Environment Agency is in discussions with the landowner about how the waste might be removed.
Environment Agency environment management team leader Louis Harvey 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.”
