The company director of an estate agents has been ordered to pay more that £1,800 for failing to dispose of waste properly.

Adebayo Badejo, of Top Move Estate Agents in central Croydon, was ordered to pay the money after office waste from the premises was found outside the business during an early morning patrol in June 2017.

An investigation by Croydon Council’s environmental enforcement team established the business had no documentation to prove it had legally disposed of commercial waste for the past two years.

A fixed penalty notice was issued but not paid.

All businesses are required to prove they dispose of waste legally, usually through a contract with a licensed waste collection company. They must retain the documentation to evidence the transfer of waste for two years. The council may require sight of the documentation by issuing a statutory notice.

If a business cannot show they dispose of their waste legally then they risk prosecution resulting in a conviction and an unlimited maximum fine.

Badejo appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 June.

The 49-year-old of Baron Grove, Mitcham, admitted one count of failing to comply, in his capacity as company director, with a notice under Section 34 of the Environmental Act 1990 requiring waste transfer documents be provided to the Council in respect of the disposal of commercial waste from the business.

Mr Badejo was ordered to pay a total of £1,830.00 for the breach.

Croydon neighbourhood safety officers regularly visit businesses across the borough to check they are disposing of their waste correctly.

If you run a business and would like further information on how to dispose of your waste legally please contact the council’s commercial waste team on 020 8726 6200.

“Businesses have a legal responsibility to dispose of their commercial waste properly.

“Businesses who flout these rules will be fined and I hope this case will dissuade other firms from committing the same crime.

“The Don’t Mess With Croydon – Take Pride campaign is having a real impact in helping make the borough a cleaner and greener place for everyone to enjoy.”

Councillor Stuart Collins, deputy leader – Clean Green Croydon