01Sep

Company fined in first battery recycling breach

Posted on 1st September, 2015

An online trading company, Babz Media operating from Perivale, London has become the first business to be prosecuted for breaching the battery recycling regulations.

And, the company has also been fined for non-compliance with producer responsibility legislation covering packaging and WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment).

The company pleaded guilty on 6th August 2015 at Ealing Magistrates’ Court in West London to failing to register with the Environment Agency and a producer recycling scheme for packaging waste, waste batteries and electrical waste. The company also pleaded guilty to avoiding the cost of financing the collection and recycling of the three waste streams between 2011 and 2013.

As well as being ordered by the court to pay a total of £45,500 in fines, they were also required to pay £8,724.98 to the Environment Agency for the avoided registration fees and prosecution costs.

Hannah Wooldridge, senior Environment Agency officer said: “This case shows that businesses must consider all aspects of regulation, and that environmental aspects are an important part of due diligence at all times.  These regulations can affect all types of business no matter the method of selling. Online trading does not excuse companies from being compliant with the law.”