Firm handed enforcement notice after land contaminated with plastic

A recycling and composting firm has been issued with an enforcement notice after land was contaminated with plastic.

The Bryn Group, a waste and aggregates firm operating out of Gelliargwellt Farm, near Gelligaer, has apologised for the pollution.

As part of its business, the company processes garden waste into compost, which it uses on its fields and on a bunding which shields its quarrying operation.

Caroline Drayton, Industry and Waste Regulation Team Leader from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said: “We have been to inspect the Bryn Aggregates Limited site in response to concerns about plastic contamination in the compost being laid on the bund of the quarry.

“This material was not deposited legally so we have issued an enforcement notice requiring it to be removed and have now removed their waste exemption.

“Officers have completed inspections of several fields around Gelligaer to investigate reports concerning plastic contamination present in these areas.

“We have also inspected the green waste composting facility operated by Bryn Recycling, and are preparing a report to the company outlining the actions we require them to take.”

Concerns over the plastic were first raised by residents living nearby.

Mark Roberts, 59, has lived in the village all his life and spotted the plastic.

He has been making films of his walks, which he uploads to social media, and is concerned at the impact the plastic is having on the environment.

He said: “This is our children’s and grandchildren’s future.”

In a statement, the Bryn Group said: “In early September, while finishing work on the surface layer of the quarry screening bund at Gelliargwellt Uchaf, a poor-quality consignment of compost produced on site was applied to a 600 sq metre area of the bund. That consignment was contaminated with plastic to an unacceptable level, and should not have been used.

“Members of the local community raised concerns about the issue, and we have worked with NRW and Caerphilly County Borough Council to agree the best way to put this right.

“We apologise unreservedly for the failure to follow our own strict protocols.”

The company said the contaminated compost will be removed and processed to remove the plastic and that a review was underway to establish how the contamination happened.

This article was amended to make it clear the company produces compost out of garden waste and not food waste as was originally stated.