In October 2006 Innovation Waste Management Ltd (IWM) acted as a broker for the consignment of 160 metal drums from a chemical manufacturer to UK Resources Management Ltd (UKRM). UKRM’s waste management licence allowed it to keep and treat various wastes, with a condition that waste drums were washed before crushing, to remove hazardous waste residues.

On that day its drum washing machinery had broken down but UKRM chose not to wait until the drums could be crushed and disposed of safely. The drums were taken to a scrap metal dealer in Darlington, who rejected the drums and alerted the Environment Agency after several drums were observed igniting when handled. The court heard it was only by “sheer luck” that the drums did not ignite when crushed at UKRM’s facility.

IWM pleaded guilty to an environmental offence by mis-describing waste which was subsequently sent to a scrap yard. IWM was fined £3,150 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. The company also agreed to pay £4,750 towards the Environment Agency’s prosecution costs.

More details about the case are available here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/113151.aspx