Follow-up visits made after clamp-down on illegal scrap metal operators
Businesses in Boston have been visited by authorities for a follow-up in a clamp down operation on illegal vehicle dismantlers and unlicensed scrap metal dealers.
The Environment Agency along with Boston Borough Council and Lincolnshire County Council paid a visit to operators in March to inspect and provide advice on how to comply with the law.
Commercial vehicle dismantling and scrap metal businesses need permits to operate, both from the Environment Agency and planning authorities. When a vehicle has reached the end of its useful life it must be scrapped at an authorised treatment facility.
Environment Agency Enforcement Officer, Peter Stark said:
We are acting on the promise to ensure there is no harm to people and the environment from sites treating waste vehicles and scrap metal.
We have done follow-up visits to four sites and hand-delivered application forms for environmental permits for breaking and dismantling vehicles. We have given operators final deadlines and will take enforcement action against those that don’t comply.
We will continue to engage with illegal operators, provide advice to those that want to comply and stop those that flout the regulations.
We’d also appeal to the public to inform them of any illegal vehicle dismantlers - reports can be made anonymously via our 0800 807060 incident hotline or to Crimestoppers.
If you are selling your scrap to a collector or yard please ask to see their scrap metal licence, issued by Boston Borough Council, and do not under any circumstances ask for cash; you should be paid by cheque or bank transfer.
If you want to dispose of your old vehicle, ensure it is taken to a permitted site where it can be fully de-polluted without the risk of harming the environment.
For further information on Scrap Metal Dealers licences in Boston, contact Boston Borough Council on 01205 314242.
To find out how to register as a waste carrier, see our page on registering or renewing as a waste carrier, broker or dealer, or contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506. For advice on operating a waste business in Lincolnshire, contact the Environment Agency local team on 01522 785344. Details on the permits available can be found on this website by searching under ‘environmental permitting.’