A waste carrier has been fined a total of £1,500 at Perth Sheriff Court on May 21 for waste offences. Calum Bruce Menzies, trading as Fair City Skip Hire, pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the depositing, burning and disposal of waste at Friarton Bridge Business Park, Friarton, Perth. The case was referred to the Procurator Fiscal by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

SEPA officers received calls from members of the public and other businesses on the park, complaining about activities at Mr Menzie's premises. Environment protection officers told Mr Menzies repeatedly, in person and by letter, that he would need to apply for a waste management licence if he wanted to treat waste on his site and forms were sent to him to assist this. No application was ever received and detailed surveillance by specialist SEPA officers provided evidence of his illegal waste operations.


SEPA's Tracey Currie said: "Mr Menzies has been given numerous opportunities to comply with the regulations. SEPA staff have spent a lot of time trying to help him, but he has refused to co-operate with us. He has not paid for a waste management licence and this means he has an unfair advantage over his competitors."

Colin Bayes, SEPA's Director of Environmental Protection and Improvement, added: "We want to help people avoid pollution and advice on how to do that is easily available from our staff, offices and www.sepa.org.uk. The NetRegs website, www.netregs.gov.uk, also offers clear guidance on environmental rules and regulations."

However, if a pollution incident occurs, we urge anyone to let us know straight away by calling our 24 hour pollution report line, 0800 807060, giving as many details as possible so effective action can be taken."

(GK/JM)