News

A London waste company has been fined £30,000 for trying to illegally export maggot-infested waste to India.

Labelled as paper waste, Community Waste planned to ship 11 containers filled with a variety of household waste including dog food cans, nappies, toothpaste tubes and yoghurt pots.

Two of the 40-foot containers were found to have maggots when Environment Agency officers examined them in October 2005.

Regulatory waste officer Dr Helen Ahmed said: "The successful prosecution shows we won’t hesitate to pursue companies who export waste illegally.

"There is a legitimate and growing market abroad for recyclables, but there are rules governing waste exports."

The waste originated in Nottinghamshire and was due to be exported from Thamesport in Kent.

Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (21 June) ordered the company to pay the fine and £13,000 in costs within 14 days.