Recycling firm fined after illegally shipping old nappies and dog waste to China

A recycling agent in Scotland has been fined £20,000 for illegally shipping 1,300 tonnes of household waste to China

Scottish recycling firm Saica Natur exported bales of used nappies, dog excrement and drinks cans from its plant in North Lanarkshire – but claimed the materials were “waste paper”.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirmed the finding and stated that it was the largest single illegal export of household waste from Scotland.

The environmental regulator discovered the breach during a routine audit of the facility

The Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Terry A’Hearn stated that it was the most serious offence that officers had witnessed, adding he was concerned it could “create doubt in the public’s mind” that their recycling would be managed appropriately.

The illegal shipment was loaded inside 51 shipping containers and has been destined for recycling in China.

Sending waste paper directly do China isn’t normal operation for the Scottish recycling firm.

Normally, the company would send waste paper to a paper mill in Manchester, however a fire in June of 2016 meant capacity was reduced and paper was being exported abroad.

No tolerance for illegal waste

Saica Natur was fined £20,000 at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Tuesday have pled guilty to contraventions of waste shipment regulations on 21 September.

These regulations, set out by the European Commission, are designed to protect developing nations such as China who receive waste from developed countries from potential harms to the environment and health of the population.