The operator of a convenience store in Great Yarmouth has been fined after failing to provide evidence that the business was disposing of its commercial waste legally.
Zanko Karim Hamafaraj, who ran the Family Food Halal store in King Street, pleaded guilty at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 10 June to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The prosecution followed an unannounced food hygiene inspection by Great Yarmouth Borough Council on 16 June last year, during which council officers asked store staff to provide documentation showing how the business was managing its trade waste.
After the business failed to produce the required paperwork within seven days, the council issued a £400 fixed penalty notice. When the penalty went unpaid, the authority initiated court proceedings.
At the hearing, Hamafaraj, of Cyprus Road, Portsmouth, admitted the offence. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £500 in costs, along with a £160 victim surcharge.
Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, licensing and waste, said businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure their commercial waste is disposed of correctly.
"Disposing of waste illegally leads to fly-tipping and supports criminal activity. It also gives businesses operating unlawfully an unfair financial advantage. The council is committed to holding offenders to account to protect the community and support local businesses," he said.
The council reminded businesses that all waste generated through commercial activities is classed as commercial waste and must be handled in accordance with duty of care requirements under environmental legislation.
This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised disposal, storing waste securely to prevent its escape, and ensuring that waste is transferred only to authorised carriers or disposal operators.
Businesses are also required to retain waste transfer documentation for at least two years and provide it to enforcement officers within seven days if requested.
Wells warned that failure to comply with these legal obligations is an offence that can result in an "unlimited fine".