A WARNING has gone out to businesses in the region about burning their waste illegally.

The Environment Agency says it regularly prosecutes businesses who try to save money by getting round regulations which say trade waste should be properly disposed of.

According to the agency, all such potentially dangerous waste must be transported by a registered carrier to a legal waste disposal site.

Alys Evans, of the Environment Agency, said: "Burning waste can be a dangerous activity, leading to court cases and big fines. To put it simply, it's illegal.

"Waste bonfires pollute the air we breathe and can lead to serious pollution of ground and water.

"And if the fire brigade has to be called out to put out illegal bonfires when they could be doing more important jobs such as dealing with house fires, then there's a cost to us all, both in terms of the lives endangered and the waste of funds.

"The Environment Agency won't hesitate to prosecute anyone burning waste, and will seek the highest possible fines, with costs.

"If businesses think they can escape paying legitimate charges for disposing of business waste by pretending to have a bonfire, then they are in for a surprise."

Business people convicted of breaking the law face fines of up to ££50,000 or five years imprisonment.

Anyone spotting waste bonfires, or any environmental crime, is asked not to get involved but to immediately ring the Environment Agency's hotline with as much detail as possible, including the registration numbers of vehicles involved where possible. The agency's hotline is is 0800 807060.

Published: 14/02/2006