A SUBSIDIARY of a major pest control firm has been fined £4,000 for hazardous waste offences at a site in Okehampton.

Rentokil Initial Services operates a waste transfer station at Okehampton where washroom wastes, including air freshener canisters, are taken for treatment prior to being sent for recovery or disposal.

The canisters contain a hazardous aerosol propellant that makes them subject to the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. On arrival at the transfer station, the aerosol cans are pierced using a carbon filter rendering them non-hazardous.

Exeter magistrates earlier this month heard the company had previously received extensive guidance and advice from the agency relating to the consignment of hazardous waste, but had failed to take action.

Matthew O'Brien for the Environment Agency, said: 'By having its own interpretation of the law, this company was working outside the Hazardous Waste Regulations. It chose to ignore our advice and continued to receive hazardous waste at its premises in Okehampton without recording the transfer and movement of the waste through the use of consignment notes.'

The company told the court its interpretation of the legislation was wrong and it accepted it should have been consigning the waste canisters and keeping records.

Rentokil Initial Services Ltd, of Beehive Ring Road, Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, Sussex admitted three offences under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, including failing to complete hazardous waste consignment notes, failing to make a consignee quarterly return to the Environment Agency, and failing to keep records and registers.