THE boss of a recycling firm has been convicted of illegally dumping and burning waste fridges and air-conditioners, according to the Journallive.co.uk website. It reports that an undercover surveillance operation by Newcastle City Council discovered Ian Chapman, director of Fast Track Recycling Services in Cramlington, Northumberland, had been burning the waste instead of recycling it.

Chapman leased land for recycling purposes in June 2009 but council inspectors saw fridges and air conditioning devices among piles of scrap being burnt. The units had been stripped-back, allowing dangerous chemicals to be released into the atmosphere. The court also heard Chapman had saved more than £10,000 by not having waste carrying and disposal licences. Chapman had previously been a registered waste carrier but continued trading after it expired.

The judge imposed a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and £350 costs.