In an ongoing effort to make sure businesses comply with waste management regulations, Barking and Dagenham Council’s Environmental Enforcement conduct regular routine inspections. 

On 16 May 2023, Officers visited Eastern Paradise of Ripple Road, Barking and discovered a significant amount of waste, including black bags, cardboard, polystyrene, and oil waste. Attempts to discuss waste management procedures with the owner or manager were unsuccessful as they were not available at the time.

Subsequently, on 23 May 2023, a Notice was issued requiring the businesses to provide Waste Transfer Notes (WTN) for general waste, oil waste, and recycled waste for the past two years within 14 days. 

A WTN is a document that must be completed when waste is transferred from one party to another to show that waste is being disposed of properly.

However, the business only provided one Waste Transfer Note, which did not cover the entire period or all types of waste produced.

Due to non-compliance with the notice, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued as an opportunity to discharge liability from prosecution. Despite multiple written communications, the business failed to pay the fine.

As a result, the case was taken to Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 13 August 2024 where the owner, Mr Molik Choudhury, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay:

Fine: £800
Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council: £644
Victim Surcharge: £320 
Total: £1,764

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “All of us must take the right measures to dispose of your waste properly. No exceptions.

“Waste and fly-tipping are some of the biggest concerns raised by our residents and we will take the strongest possible action against those who cannot follow the rules.

“Barking and Dagenham is open to business, but we have to take a zero-policy approach against anyone who breaks the rules.”