Hazardous waste firm loses licence for breaches

A hazardous waste firm has lost its licence to operate after "a history of non-compliance" and for accepting unauthorised material, the Environment Agency (EA) said.

Action was taken against DS Environmental Services, in Wolverhampton, as part of ongoing investigations into waste disposal crime in Midlands, the agency said.

Withdrawal of its permit prevents new waste being left at the site after "sustained regulatory intervention" and action by the EA because of poor performance.

The firm, which could not be reached by the BBC, had been permitted to accept, transfer and treat a range of waste including the storage of asbestos, batteries, electrical waste and electronic equipment, the EA said.

But because of its non-compliance, including a failure to operate in accordance with a written management system and accepting unauthorised waste, led to a notice to revoke the licence on 28 May with the revocation taking effect on 30 June.

The agency said it had worked with other organisations throughout its regulatory response to ensure risks to the environment and local communities were appropriately managed.

"Revoking permits is one of the enforcement tools available to us where there are serious and persistent concerns about compliance and environmental risk," Tom Mountford, the EA's waste team leader in the West Midlands, said.

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