Blaydon Landfill Firms Fined After Litter and Smell Hell for Residents
Two companies behind nasty litter and stench problems at Blaydon Landfill in Gateshead have finally been hit with fines. Octagon Green Solutions Ltd, its director Kevin John Wanless, 50, and Recyclogical Ltd have been slammed by Newcastle Crown Court for causing months of misery.
Massive Waste Breaches and Odour Nightmare
The firms pleaded guilty to multiple offences including illegal litter dumping in June 2018, taking on too much waste, and triggering odour complaints in February 2019. Despite warnings, they accepted almost 20% more waste than permitted, with rubbish piled up like a 15-metre “cliff face” and uncovered, spreading foul smells over 1km away.
- Recyclogical Ltd was slugged with fines and costs totalling over £70,000.
- Octagon Green Solutions Ltd got £1,800 in fines while director Kevin Wanless was fined £450.
Environment Agency: “We Took Robust Action”
Andrew Turner, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency North East, said: “Our officers fought through tough legal hurdles to bring this case to court. I remember the distress caused to local residents and I’m glad justice has been served.”
“Permits and strict litter and odour control plans are there to protect communities. This case shows we take breaches seriously and will enforce the law.”
Storm Hector and Shocking Site Failures
Octagon Green Solutions bought the Blaydon site in 2013 but handed operations to Recyclogical in 2017, while retaining the permit. After Storm Hector in June 2018, an Environment Agency inspection revealed plastic litter scattered across fields, hedgerows, and gardens.
Despite the storm, the site recklessly accepted 53 waste loads with netting damaged and failing to stop rubbish escape. Worse, waste was left uncovered, a clear permit breach increasing odour risk.
Even after being ordered to halt waste intake nearing annual limits, they ignored the ban and kept dumping until December 2018.
Local Residents Pay the Price
The court was told the site’s problems dragged on for months near residential areas, making the situation worse. Defendants claimed previous operators struggled, and new ownership since 2020 is trying to mend fences.
But the judge ruled negligence was clear, and the site’s location near housing made offences more serious.
The message from regulators is loud and clear: flout environmental laws at your peril.
