E-waste recycler prosecuted for illegal WEEE exports to Africa

By Carolina Curiel (ScrapMonster Author)

November 25, 2015 04:07:44 AM

CANTERBURY (Scrap Monster): Warrington-based Daniels Recycling Ltd. and its directors Mark Daniels, 51, and Lynn Gallop, 52 has been pleaded guilty to illegally exporting hazardous waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to West African countries. The Warrington Crown Court has ordered to pay £130,000 in fines and costs.

The UK Environment Agency (EA) had used evidence from BBC’s Panorama programme. As part of the investigative series, producers had abandoned a television at a south London waste recycling centre after fitting a hidden tracking device. It was found that the TV was transported to Daniels Recycling and from there to a 40-foot container. The TV along with other electrical waste was seized from the container at Felixstowe port, destined to be exported to African countries. A total of 11 such shipping containers were seized. According to EA prosecutors, the company was found to have illegally exported another 186 WEEE containers to many West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Gambia and Togo.

The court has ordered nine-month custodial sentence to Daniels. In addition, he has to pay £50,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and £20,000 in costs. Lynn Gallop has been fined £450, with £25,000 POCA and a contribution to costs of £10,000. Also, Daniels Recycling Ltd itself was fined a total of £25,000.

The UK law allows exports of working electronics for resale purpose. However, sending hazardous waste out of the country is illegal and punishable. The court ruling is a reminder for all organizations handling waste to ensure that electrical and electronic waste doesn’t cause harm to human life and environment.

According to company website, Daniels Recycling Ltd. is an electronic and IT equipment recycler with over 25 years of experience in recycling.