Three men have been arrested as part of the Environment Agency’s ongoing investigations into containers of waste alleged to have been illegally exported to Brazil. The Environment Agency is working with the Brazilian authorities to investigate the origin of 99 shipping containers.

The Brazilian Institute for the Environment and the Renewable Resources (IBAMA) has reported that at least two of the containers have a mixture of household and clinical waste, including syringes and condoms. The UK Environment Agency however can not confirm this at this stage.

The Environment Agency is planning to carry out an investigation of the containers once they have been released by the Brazilian authorities and returned to the UK. It will then ensure the waste is handled and disposed of correctly. The shipping lines contracted to transport the containers from the UK to Brazil have agreed to repatriate the containers to the UK at their own expense.

Liz Parkes, Head of Waste and Resource Management at the Environment Agency, said: “Today’s arrests mark significant progress in our investigation into the alleged illegal export of waste from the UK to Brazil. We are working with the shipping lines for the return of the waste, at their own expense, and are planning to carry out a investigation of the containers once they have been released by Brazilian authorities and returned to the UK."

“The Environment Agency, enforces the export of recyclable waste from England and Wales, and will not hesitate to prosecute any company or individuals found to have breached the strict laws on the export of waste. “The United Kingdom has taken a strong global lead to stamp out the illegal waste trade, in order to protect people and the environment,” she added.

There is a legitimate and growing market abroad for recyclables. The law covering waste exports are strict but clear – it is illegal to export waste for disposal, but it can be sent abroad for recycling. The maximum penalty for exporting waste illegally is an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Quelle: Environment Agency UK

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