Nine charged in biggest criminal investigation into electrical
waste exports
The Environment Agency has charged nine people as part of the
biggest investigation into illegal electrical waste exports from
the UK to West Africa.
All nine have been charged with offences under the Transfrontier
Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 and European Waste Shipment
Regulations 2006 and bailed to attend Havering Magistrates Court on
11th November.
The law states that broken electricals, including everyday items
such as mobiles, smart phones, laptops and TVs, cannot be sent
overseas for disposal. As well as precious metals such as gold,
copper and aluminium, electrical waste can contain hazardous
substances including mercury and lead that are harmful to people
and the environment.
There is good evidence that illegal exports of electrical waste
from the UK is ending up on waste sites in Africa, causing harm to
those who come into contact with it.
The Environment Agency's National Environmental Crime Team
Manager, Andy Higham, said, "Over the past two years painstaking
intelligence work by Environment Agency officers has uncovered a
web of individuals and companies that appear to be making
considerable sums of money by exporting electrical waste
overseas."
Exporters of broken electricals put at risk the lives of those
who work on waste sites in developing countries. These are often
children who are paid a pittance to dismantle products containing
hazardous waste. Illegal exporters also avoid the costs of
recycling in the UK and undermine law-abiding business.
It is always a crime to export broken electricals and hazardous
waste from the UK to developing countries to be dumped. The last
thing we want is our waste causing harm to people or the
environment overseas."
Officers from the Environment Agency's National Crime Team began
their investigations in mid-2008. They soon uncovered a network of
individuals, waste companies and export businesses allegedly
involved in the export of electrical waste.
In some instances, it is alleged that considerable sums of money
changed hands in deals to collect and recycle electrical waste
while treatment costs were avoided.
Source: Environment Agency