Landfill company fined over offensive smells

13th April 2012

A landfill company operating in Scotland has been fined £10,500 over offensive smells emanating from its site in Greengairs, near Glasgow.

This conviction could set a precedent for other companies that are failing to bring their odour under control, with hefty fines now at the disposal of the courts. Residents of Greengairs complained to the council after living with smells described as being like rotten eggs, which had made them feel sick, impacted on their sleep and caused headaches.

Waste Recycling Group Ltd (WRG) pleaded guilty to being in breach of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act, admitting the smell was clearly noticeable far beyond the boundaries of the landfill site. The guilty plea meant that fines were reduced from £14,000 to £10,500.

Kate Fleming, specialist environment prosecutor, said: "Modern landfill sites are complex engineered structures which are subject to regulation designed to protect the environment.

"The law understandably sets a high standard to guard against damage to our environment."