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SEPA issues civil penalty after Paisley business caught fly tipping seven times in two months

Between 25th May and 25th June 2024, cardboard, plastic bread crates, black bin bags and packaging were fly tipped at Spiersbridge Business Park. CCTV footage showed the same vehicle arriving at the site on seven separate occasions - each time, controlled waste was illegally deposited with no attempt to dispose of it properly. 

The initial investigation was undertaken by East Renfrewshire Council’s Environmental Health Officers who attended the location after each case of fly tipping. Information was shared with SEPA, and it was subsequently determined that the waste came from a convenience shop operated by CRAA Ltd.    

SEPA is working more closely with local authorities to tackle Scotland's fly tipping problem as part of the National Litter and Fly Tipping Strategy. The agency’s ability to issue Variable Monetary Penalties, at a higher level than civil penalties available to council officers, is a significant addition to the fight against fly tippers in Scotland. 

George Hope, Unit Manager in SEPA’s Enforcement Support team, said: 

“Fly tipping is not just lazy - it's illegal. It can cause serious harm to our environment, wildlife and communities and places an unnecessary burden on landowners, councils and taxpayers – diverting money and resources that could be better used elsewhere, to clear it up.   

“This case demonstrates that by working more closely with local authorities, like East Renfrewshire Council, we can strengthen enforcement efforts, hold offenders accountable and better protect Scotland’s environment and communities from the selfish and criminal behaviour of those who fly tip waste. If you dump waste illegally, expect to pay the price.” 

Councillor Danny Devlin, Convener for Environment and Housing, added:  

“Fly-tipping is completely unacceptable and has a negative impact on our communities, the environment and resources, so it’s reassuring to see that the Council have worked in partnership with SEPA to issue a civil penalty to this business, who acted incredibly irresponsibly on multiple occasions. 

"We’re determined to keep working to stamp out fly-tipping across East Renfrewshire and maintain our area. The Council will do everything possible to prosecute offenders in East Renfrewshire, and I’d encourage residents who witness this illegal dumping to always report it.”  

CRAA Ltd will also be required to pay SEPA costs of £796.60.

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 Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) and reports to the Procurator Fiscal. 

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 and/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

SEPA have determined that the amount of the variable monetary penalty is £2,642.01 for this offence. 

SEPA are satisfied that between 25 May 2024 and 25 June 2024, CRAA Ltd knowingly caused or knowingly permitted controlled waste to be deposited in or on land at 3 Spiersbridge Ave, Spiersbridge Business Park, Thornliebank, Glasgow, G46 8NL, NS 54507 59382, without authorisation. 

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. 

Information on Variable Monetary Penalties imposed is available on SEPA’s website at Penalties imposed and undertakings accepted, along with details of Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) and Enforcement Undertakings accepted. 

Information on how a VMP is calculated is available on SEPA’s website.