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Paisley man served £3,405.75 civil penalty for illegal waste disposal in Barrhead

Paul Sanderson, trading as Paul Movers, must pay the £3,405.75 Variable Monetary Penalty (VMP) after SEPA found he had deposited controlled waste, including flooring materials, garden cuttings and wooden furniture, in a leased container in Barrhead without the necessary licence. The wasted accumulated over the time Sanderson was responsible for the unit 

Separately, Mr Sanderson has been issued with a £300 Fixed Monetary Penalty as part of a wider investigation by SEPA’s Digital Interventions project, which focuses on detecting and disrupting unregistered waste carriers advertising their services online. 

George Hope, Unit Manager in SEPA’s enforcement support team, highlighted the serious implications of illegal waste disposal. 

“Regulating waste movements is essential to prevent pollution, protect public health and ensure waste is handled appropriately. We urge people to verify that waste operators are registered as waste carriers before using their services, otherwise they may unknowingly support illegal activity.  

“Unlicensed waste disposal not only harms the environment but also disadvantages legitimate businesses that comply with regulations. SEPA remains committed to identifying and taking action against offenders to safeguard Scotland's environment. This case should serve as a clear warning that those who fail to operate within the law will face consequences.” 

SEPA encourages the public to ensure they only use appropriately registered waste service, and report any concerns about illegal waste disposal to help tackle environmental crime. 

Always ask for a waste carrier number and check they are registered with SEPA, confirm where they will take your waste and pay a fair price for the service. You can also contact SEPA to check a Waste Carrier Licence number you have been given if you cannot find it online. If they are reluctant to give you information or you are in any in doubt, do not give them your waste. 

Civil penalties

VMPs are discretionary financial penalties which SEPA can impose for a relevant offence following an appropriate investigation. They sit alongside other enforcement tools available to SEPA staff, including advice and guidance, final warning letters, statutory enforcement notices, other civil penalties, including FMPs and reports to the Procurator Fiscal.   

SEPA can issue FMPs for relevant offences - they are not available for all offences. FMPs are normally appropriate where an offence has not caused environmental harm or has caused minimal environmental harm with no lasting environmental effects or impacts on communities, for administrative offences and where little (if any) financial benefit arises from the offence.  

SEPA’s enforcement action is designed to secure compliance with regulatory requirements, protecting and improving the environment. It aims to bring activity under regulatory control, stop offending, stop harm or reduce the risk of harm arising from non-compliance. It is also designed to ensure restoration or remediation of harm caused by regulatory non-compliance where appropriate.   

Notes to Editors

Check your waste carrier is registered with SEPA at Register of Waste Carriers and Brokers | SEPA 

Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) cover a wide range of environmental offences, including offences under The Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012. Find more information about VMPs and other enforcement tools on SEPA’s website.   

Waste transfer notes provide essential information on the type and quantity of waste, where it originated from, and where it will be disposed of or treated. This ensures there is a clear audit trail from waste production to disposal - providing an accurate record that enables regulators to track waste movements and check waste has been handled legally. Find advice on waste transfer notes and how to complete them on the NetRegs website. 

SEPA’s Enforcement policy and Guidance on the use of enforcement action underpins decision-making in relation to enforcement action. 

The Lord Advocate’s guidelines to SEPA also supports enforcement decision making. Where SEPA is considering issuing monetary penalties or accepting a voluntary undertaking, the Guidelines provide a framework for deciding whether SEPA may take such action, or whether the case should instead be referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for consideration of prosecution. 

SEPA’s digital regulation project is supported by additional funding from the Scottish Government and is being undertaken as part of the National Litter and Fly-tipping Strategy. Read the National Litter and Fly-tipping Strategy Year 1 Action Plan.