Scrap man receives big fine for not holding waste carrier licence

A SCRAP merchant has received a hefty fine for “unknowingly” transporting waste without holding a licence. 

Steven Jackson (27), of Sycamore Avenue, Bramley, was fined £1,000 for failing to hold a waste carrier licence. 

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard he had sold waste to one firm nine times in a single year — despite not having the right paperwork.

His vehicle was stopped by Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police on Aldwarke Lane last October and found to contain “controlled waste”.

RMBC said he was insured for the flatbed that he owned when stopped but not licensed to carry the waste.

Documents in his Ford Transit tipper showed that he had recently taken to scrap waste to more than one dealer. 

His vehicle was seized and a visit to waste processing firm Ron Hull Ltd last October by a council enforcement officer revealed that Jackson had sold scrap nine times there between October 2021 and October 2022.

Jackson said that he had been running a decking and fencing business while supplementing this work with other groundworks and collecting scrap metal.

He admitted to transporting waste numerous times without a licence, RMBC said. 

On top of the £1,000 fine, magistrates ordered Jackson on February 22 to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £429 costs.

Jackson later commented on RMBC’s social media post about the fine, blasting the decision and stating that it was “no harm to a hard-working young lad” and he felt he was attacked for “trying to work”.

He said he had been unaware he had needed a waste carrier licence to transport waste that was his own and claimed he had not collected it off the street.

Cllr Dominic Beck, RMBC’s cabinet member for transport and environment, said “rules are rules” when it comes to obeying the law.

“RMBC is committed to providing a better environment for all and we will continue to help prosecute anyone who breaks the law on the disposal of waste,” he said.

“A waste carrier licence applies to people and businesses who transport, dispose of, buy or sell waste or arrange for others to do so on their behalf.

“You need to register even if carrying waste is not your main business activity or if you only carry waste occasionally. 

“It’s essential that people dispose of their waste properly and stay on the right side of the law.”

RMBC said anyone wishing to run a waste carrier business must have a licence from the Environment Agency. 

Visit https://tinyurl.com/Waste-carrier-licence for more information.