A waste transport company has been ordered to pay £68,500 in fines and costs after being prosecuted for a liquid cyanide leak from a lorry at an industrial estate in Heanor, Derbyshire.
J & G Environmental Ltd, based in Fareham, Hampshire, was fined £16,000 and directed to cover costs amounting to £52,500 during proceedings at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The company had previously pleaded guilty to causing an illegal water discharge.
The incident, which occurred on February 6, 2018, involved a container rupture as the driver maneuvered the lorry, resulting in the release of hundreds of litres of liquid containing diluted cyanide. The spillage entered the drainage system and natural waterways, leading to the death of hundreds of fish in a nearby pond.
Upon discovery, the Fire Service implemented decontamination protocols and cordoned off the affected area to mitigate risks. Environment Agency officers were summoned to the scene and utilized booms and absorbent pads to contain the pollution and prevent further contamination of watercourses.
Subsequent investigations revealed that all 73 fish samples collected from the affected area had succumbed to cyanide poisoning.
The Environment Agency estimated cleanup costs at approximately £50,000.
J & G Environmental, which provides waste collection and disposal services to various industries, including printing, photographic, and healthcare sectors, had collected the waste liquid from the Rolls Royce base before the incident.
In sentencing, Judge Michael Auty acknowledged the company’s lack of prior convictions and its proactive steps to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, emphasizing the importance of upholding environmental standards and employee safety.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency emphasized the severity of the pollution incident and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations. They encouraged individuals with environmental concerns to report incidents promptly to the agency’s hotline or to Crimestoppers anonymously.
This prosecution underscores the responsibility of businesses to adhere to environmental laws and the importance of robust safety measures to prevent harm to wildlife and ecosystems.
