Custom Search
Britain's Dirty Little Secret As A Dumper of Toxic Waste
* 30 Comments Recommend? (28) Britain was accused yesterday of dumping toxic household and industrial waste in developing countries on two continents in breach of an international convention. The Government last night was considering tightening the enforcement of rules after the discovery of hazardous medical and electrical waste in Brazil and Ghana. Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, ordered an investigation into two British companies linked to 90 shipping containers containing 1,400 tonnes of waste. They included syringes, condoms and nappies. The companies that received the waste — sent from Felixstowe to three Brazilian ports — said that they had been expecting recyclable plastic. In a separate case, the Ministry of Defence was unable to explain how one of its computers was found by The Times on a notorious dump on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana. Children as young as 5 extract scrap metal from electrical items there and are exposed to potentially lethal chemicals. Related Links * UK firms accused over hazardousr ubbish * Britain’s role in dangerous trade in e-waste * Big profits from a very dirty business Inspectors from Brazil’s environment agency, Ibama, found hospital waste in several containers, reportedly including bags of blood. Another container was full of dirty toys with a note in Portuguese saying they should be washed before being given to “poor Brazilian children”. Ingrid Oberg, an Ibama official, who opened containers found in the port of Santos on national television news, said: “Whoever put this rubbish into the containers in the UK knew what they were doing and knew where they were going, so it is a criminal act. England needs to assume responsibility.” Roberto Messias, Ibama’s president, said: “We will ask for the repatriation of this garbage. Clearly, Brazil is not a big rubbish dump of the world.” The agency said that it was considering taking action against two British companies it believed were connected to yesterday’s find — Worldwide Biorecyclables Ltd and UK Multiplas Recycling Ltd. Mr Benn admitted that there could be weaknesses in the enforcement of rules on sending waste overseas, including a European directive banning the export of any electrical waste. Speaking to The Times about the discoveries in Brazil, he said: “If, having looked into this particular case, there are lessons that need to be learnt about enforcement, then we will do that.” * Print * Email Bookmark and Share Your Comments 30 Comments (Displaying 1-10) Order By: * Newest first * Oldest first * Most recommended Report item as: (required) X Comment: (optional) User Image Dennis Atwood wrote: "Rule Britannia, Britannia's ruled by knaves, Environment and public, Ever by thy slaves." Shame beyond shame. Only lesson to be "learnt" is why those responsible are able to report to their jobs Monday morning. July 19, 2009 11:22 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (2) Report Abuse Permalink User Image Julia James wrote: Environmental concern is a worthwhile cause, but as this shows make no mistake- the government "green" movement is a moneymaking machine and they,and their corporate henchmen, are making a mockery and a serious revenue from it that will almost certainly never funnel true benefit towards preservative/preservative environmental endeavours. They even have us smugly chastising and encouraging their "green" taxes and fees on each other as we all play into the machine. It's time to wake up and insist for real environmental measures that will result in real benefit to the environment alone. for environmental or human concern is July 19, 2009 7:41 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (5) Report Abuse Permalink User Image kenny livitt wrote: Hate to say it but syringes, condoms and nappies do contain a lot of plastic and the two companies in question are brazilian owned Brtish companies. No waste should be exported, and we should not be taking in the likes of old warships for disposal here. Recycling is a nonsense, re use is the way we should be heading and all other rubbish should be burned. We have the facilities and the filtered chimneys to do this but the public are worried about carcinogenic fumes. Returnable glass and plastic bottles and banning disposable nappies. That is the only way forward. Oh yes...and stop this 'going for growth' every year, be happy to stay as we are. July 19, 2009 7:36 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (5) Report Abuse Permalink User Image Jim Mileski wrote: Centuries ago they used to dump their unwanted on America. It's really not much else than an evolution of the same general concept. July 19, 2009 5:12 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (2) Report Abuse Permalink User Image jane rochester wrote: Oh, how sick I am of politicians and public sector officials going on about "lessons will be learnt". The only way that people like this learn their lesson is by having public sector contracts terminated without compensation if they have been awarded public contracts, and by being sacked if they are public sector employees. July 19, 2009 1:15 AM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (12) Report Abuse Permalink User Image BW Moore wrote: How do we know it is British rubbish ? Is it Post Coded, and other ID checks ? July 18, 2009 8:22 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (2) Report Abuse Permalink User Image iain carstairs wrote: “If, having looked into this particular case, there are lessons that need to be learnt about enforcement, then we will do that.” Classic stalling technique! I grew up in Birmingham, Hall Green, in an area of housing later declared unfit for human habitation because the government had been dumping mercury there after the war. What to do with all that toxic waste, thought the government? I know! Build council houses on it and let children play in the gardens until the waste seeps up and ruins their health! And then, let's promise to "take a closer look" etc etc. July 18, 2009 6:36 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (15) Report Abuse Permalink User Image John Glover wrote: Too many people "jump-in" to the industry for a fast buck. If waste producers followed the legal requirement of "Duty of Care" then illegal behaviour or export would be much more difficult. These materials should not be passed through mysterious middle-men. Despite what it says the MOD is responsible for their actions. July 18, 2009 6:17 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (6) Report Abuse Permalink User Image Maggie Snook wrote: Well what a surprise! We regularly get involved with beach clean ups here in this part of Dorset. The debris is most disgusting, usually foreign debris chucked overboard by ships in the English channel . No wonder all our marine sealife is stressed and dying in huge numbers- Will the government put huge pressure on these waste companies to account for their actions? I am holding my breath! July 18, 2009 4:17 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (17) Report Abuse Permalink User Image Lucius Malfoy wrote: Whatever "rules" they add to the already oppressive pile of them, you can bet that it will be us that have to pay for their grand ideas. July 18, 2009 12:19 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (21) Report Abuse Permalink 1 2 3 >> Last have your say Would you like to post a comment? Please register or log in Login Register Report item as: (required) X Comment: (optional) * Terms and conditions Ads by Google Geocycle US Sustainable solutions to wastemanagement challenges. www.geocycle.us Britain's Got Talent Clip See Susan Boyle's Britain's GotTalent Audition with Videos Toolbar Videos.alot.com eFax Paperless Faxing Good for the earth, even better foryour business. Go green today! www.eFax.com Also in Environment * Green and Confused: Can I recycle worn out clothes? * Sit-in workers at Vestas factory 'being starved out' Also in News * Brown’s last pillars of authority are pulled down by MPs * Win a break for two in Munich, with The Charles Hotel and Aer Lingus * Why girls go in twos and boys hunt in packs Times recommends * Energy-saving ideas from switched-on professor * Rooks are as clever with tools as chimpanzees * Burping of the lambs blows roast off menu Green Central Demand for oil is expected to slow Why we'll run out of oil sooner than we think THE TRIDENT DEBATE Launch Trident video timeline Launch interactive video timeline Best Green Companies Best Green Companies 2009 - woman walking across log in rainforest Winners revealed Search our league tables of the country's most environmentally aware companies, with the most environmentally engaged workforces Green Rich List Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway 100 top eco-pioneers How the world's wealthiest are becoming green What a Sight Berlin’s Museumsinsel (Museum Island) Satellite pictures of UNESCO world heritage sites Slide Show Science Central H1N1 swine flu virus Swine Flu Why July 13 will be a turning point Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, walks on the surface of the Moon Forgotten astronaut The man who kept watch while Armstrong and Aldrin moonwalked Michael Jackson in a black leather tux for the Billie Jean video Pulp Fiction drug that could have saved Michael Jackson's life Property Search Find your perfect energy efficient house MOST READ MOST COMMENTED MOST CURIOUS Most Read Skip Most Read Today * Berlusconi's popularity wilts as lurid tapes... * Swine flu girl Chloe Buckley, 6, died of... * Sordid reality behind Dubai's gilded facade * My swine flu misery MOST COMMENTED Skip Editor's Pick Today * Non-Muslims turning to Sharia courts to reso... * Top professions 'operate closed shop to excl... * Berlusconi's popularity wilts as lurid tapes... * The niqab, fact v fiction MOST CURIOUS Skip Most Curious Today * Napoleonic prisoner of war camp unearthed by... * Backyard astronomer discovers black spot on... * Spotify will put us music critics out of a... * Oxfam books: the tome raiders cometh Focus Zone Angel of the north Northern Lights: Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here BT Business Solutions: Risk, resilience and embracing new technology accenture Need to Know: Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast Cisco Business Wisdom: Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System Social Entrepreneur Social Entrepreneurs: The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors ba business travel clouds Business Travel: Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip rowing boats Great British Summer : Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday Corsica Corsica Travel: Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination More Reports More reports: Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more previous next * Northern Lights * Business Solutions * Need to Know * Business Wisdom * Social Entrepreneurs * Business Travel * Great British Summer * Corsica Travel * More reports Financial Brochures Nigel Kennedy Ad Feature Talent at the Tower A celebration of music Generic photo of a job interview. Free CV Review Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts Generic photo of a job interview. Free CV Review Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts Sudoku Online Sudoku with daily prizes Popular Searches on Times Online ashes | books | chess | fashion | football | formula 1 | Michael Jackson | need to know | obituaries | recipes | redundancy calculator | rich list | savings | science | sudoku | swine flu | twitter | university guide | wine | travel deals Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles Classifieds Cars Jobs Property Travel Cars Skip Cars of the Week Lamborghini Gallardo 2004 69,950 Renault Spider 1998 18,950 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2006 51,950 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 QUATTRO S-TRONIC 2007 26,950 * Search for more cars and bikes Jobs Skip Jobs of the Week Board Members Managing Director Competitive Salary Roddons March, Cambridgeshire Board Members Not Specified Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) UK Audit, Quality Control and Technical Partner $200,000 tax free - neg. Mature Accountants Ltd Bahrain Head of Area Circa £70,000 Homes and Communities Agency Nationwide * Search more Jobs Properties Lloyd’s 360 Risk Insight Get the Facts in Black And White Rushmore Condo's Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views Diadem Homes The best new homes in Wimbledon? Times Online Property Search Nationwide * Search for more properties Holidays Skip Travel of the Week Sensational Seychelles from £999 pp including flights! 7 nights at Beau Vallon Resort – book by 31 July with Elite Vacations Amazing Cruise Deals With Virgin Holidays Cruises Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp! 5 * Moscow break from £499 pp inc flights 5 star quality at a 3 star price. Canada for Less.. fly from £129 one way inc taxes 8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper * Search for more holidays Place your advert now Search Ad Reference: Where am I? Home * News Environment * Contact us * Back to top
Britain was accused yesterday of dumping toxic household and industrial waste in developing countries on two continents in breach of an international convention.
The Government last night was considering tightening the enforcement of rules after the discovery of hazardous medical and electrical waste in Brazil and Ghana.
Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, ordered an investigation into two British companies linked to 90 shipping containers containing 1,400 tonnes of waste. They included syringes, condoms and nappies. The companies that received the waste — sent from Felixstowe to three Brazilian ports — said that they had been expecting recyclable plastic.
In a separate case, the Ministry of Defence was unable to explain how one of its computers was found by The Times on a notorious dump on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana. Children as young as 5 extract scrap metal from electrical items there and are exposed to potentially lethal chemicals.
Inspectors from Brazil’s environment agency, Ibama, found hospital waste in several containers, reportedly including bags of blood. Another container was full of dirty toys with a note in Portuguese saying they should be washed before being given to “poor Brazilian children”.
Ingrid Oberg, an Ibama official, who opened containers found in the port of Santos on national television news, said: “Whoever put this rubbish into the containers in the UK knew what they were doing and knew where they were going, so it is a criminal act. England needs to assume responsibility.”
Roberto Messias, Ibama’s president, said: “We will ask for the repatriation of this garbage. Clearly, Brazil is not a big rubbish dump of the world.” The agency said that it was considering taking action against two British companies it believed were connected to yesterday’s find — Worldwide Biorecyclables Ltd and UK Multiplas Recycling Ltd.
Mr Benn admitted that there could be weaknesses in the enforcement of rules on sending waste overseas, including a European directive banning the export of any electrical waste. Speaking to The Times about the discoveries in Brazil, he said: “If, having looked into this particular case, there are lessons that need to be learnt about enforcement, then we will do that.”
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6718689.ece