A company that provides care for vulnerable and elderly people has been ordered to pay over £1,500 after it failed to provide documents that showed how it disposed of its waste.

A court heard how the owners of Sweet Home Care Ltd, in Great Cullings, Dagenham, failed to provide their waste transfer notes during an inspection by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers on 26 November 2019.

Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is a legal requirement that anyone who produces, imports, transports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste must keep copies of waste transfer notes for their business waste for a period of up to two years. Anyone found in breach can face an unlimited fine.

Despite reminders, the business failed to provide documentation and was subsequently issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice in January 2020. 

However, the fine went unpaid, leading the council to launch legal proceedings.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “It beggars belief that some businesses simply decide they are above the law in this way and despite us giving them plenty of opportunities to prove they were responsibly removing their rubbish, they ignored us.

“I’m pleased the court has sent a strong message that this kind of attitude won’t be tolerated. We all have a part to play in protecting the environment and being considerate of how we handle our waste is a big part of that.”

The case was heard on Tuesday, 4 January at Barkingside Magistrates Court, which the owners of the care provider did not attend and were subsequently fined in their absence.

Sweet Home Care Ltd now has 28 days to pay a fine of £600, costs of £885 to Barking and Dagenham Council and a £60 victim surcharge.