Company in Lancashire Fined for Illegal Waste Exports

Illegal waste exports have led to significant consequences for MV Recycling (UK) Ltd, which has been fined after it attempted to unlawfully transport plastics tainted with household waste—including items like sanitary products and diapers—on three separate occasions within a year. The company admitted guilt for all three export-related charges and was ordered to pay £30,400 in fines along with prosecution costs. Noormohammed Master, the sole director of the company, falsely claimed in the official documentation that the waste consisted of clean, uncontaminated plastics, which is referred to as 'Green List' waste. MV Recycling (UK) Ltd entered into an agreement with firms in Turkey to manage this illegal scheme. After sourcing waste from various UK businesses, the company was caught trying to ship containers that were contaminated with electrical waste, including wiring and circuit boards, along with mixed household waste. The firm ignored a warning and clear instructions from the Environment Agency following its first violation in March 2019. Eleven shipping containers filled with waste were loaded at a recycling facility in Kent and transported to Felixstowe, where inspections revealed that the contents did not match the descriptions provided, resulting in the denial of export. The third incident was particularly alarming, involving nine containers loaded in December 2019, which were also intended for Turkey but were stopped at Felixstowe after inspections indicated contamination. Investigations revealed that even more contaminants—such as tin, paper, card, textiles, plastic, wood, and additional household waste—were found during the inspection of selected waste bales. This final illegal waste export attempt occurred despite a prior warning from the Environment Agency. MV Recycling (UK) Ltd failed to disclose the origins of the waste, with some seeming to come from France. A third party was enlisted to source plastic waste from the same Kent-based company involved in the initial offense, but the waste was then taken to another Newcastle-based company for loading into shipping containers. The Kent company would not have agreed to this arrangement had they known the waste was intended for export, considering the previous incident with MV Recycling (UK). They were aware that the company's facility could not adequately sort and separate the waste to the necessary standards. Due to the contamination, the waste could not be exported legally without prior notification and consent from the Environment Agency, as it should have been classified as 'Amber List' waste. This classification would have necessitated a financial guarantee to cover the risk that authorities in the recipient country might refuse the waste, forcing its return. During interviews following the last offense, an Environment Agency officer stated that it was the most contaminated material he had ever encountered. MV Recycling (UK) Ltd was sentenced on 5th May 2026 at Preston Magistrates’ Court. The court highlighted the company's blatant disregard for the law, mentioning that a third party was used to facilitate transactions, resulting in MV Recycling (UK) Ltd misleading others regarding the true source and destination of the waste. Mr. Master acknowledged that he had misled Environment Agency officials about the waste's origin while it was being examined in January 2020. Since then, MV Recycling (UK) Ltd has revamped its business operations, changed its location, and has been compliant with regulatory requirements. The Environment Agency has found no evidence of further violations, and both the company and its director lack any prior convictions, cautions, or reprimands. Joanna Larmour, Deputy Director of the National Environmental Crime Unit, commented: "MV Recycling (UK) Ltd displayed a total disregard for existing legislation designed to protect the environment and communities, ignoring numerous warnings and continuing to commit infractions on three occasions in one year. Our officers work diligently to combat waste crime, and the results of this prosecution send a strong message to others: companies that violate important waste laws will face consequences. Following our investigation, the company has been held accountable. Those who attempt to exploit the system will encounter action against them." Businesses often rely on services like MV Recycling (UK) Ltd to meet their recycling quotas, acquiring Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) as proof of their recycling efforts. The overarching aim is to ensure producers are financially responsible for the waste they generate. In response to ongoing illegal dumping activities, the government and Environment Agency initiated a crackdown on waste crime, unveiling an extensive package of measures aimed at curtailing such practices. The newly introduced Waste Crime Action Plan outlines a zero-tolerance approach and aims to prevent waste crime at its source by closing loopholes and equipping regulators with essential tools to combat waste offenders. Aligned with its Ten Point Plan, the Environment Agency is focusing on underperforming locations that use waste export as a disposal method, partnering with other organizations to halt and inspect waste being shipped out of the UK promptly, thereby preventing further environmental damage. For more information, visit the Environment Agency site: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lancashire-recycling-company-sentenced-for-illegal-waste-exports. For further insights on waste management and recycling, check out [Globe Migrant's Resources](https://www.globemigrant.com/resources) and [Globe Migrant's Blog](https://www.globemigrant.com/blog).

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