• Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Ltd - 25 November Update

    In our previous news update on 03 October 2025 we explained that the Environment Agency had been informed that the liquidators acting for Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Ltd (SWRCL) had disclaimed both of the environmental permits that they held. This means that the permits no longer exist.

    We now understand that Hyper Waste Management Ltd are the new occupier of the site.

    On 6 October 2025 the Environment Agency issued a Section 59 Notice to the occupier, which requires the company to take steps to reduce the environmental risks posed by the site, and remove all waste to a suitably authorised facility by a specified date. The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor compliance with this Notice.

    We are also working with partner agencies, including Stoke on Trent City Council to reduce the risks on site, and ensure there is a legitimate use of the site going forwards.

  • Joint waste crime initiative - October 2025

    On 17 October, the Environment Agency joined officers from the Sandwell Priority Crime Team, Sandwell Council, West Midlands Fire Service, Immigration, and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service in Smethwick for a coordinated operation focused on tackling vehicle-related crime.

    We’d received reports that the site was being used as an illegal waste transfer station and that there were illegal exports of waste electrical equipment on site. Our officers inspected the containers and found a large amount of scrap material, such as car parts, engines and scrap bicycles. There were also multiple scrap fridges/freezers found on site.

    We carried out a thorough inspection of the buildings, actively looking for any signs of any illegal activity. Our aim was to identify the presence of waste material, document any supporting evidence and evaluate any waste operations in order to assess their compliance. We also looked for any potential offences which may fall under the jurisdiction of other government agencies or the police.

    Alan Kerr, Environmental Crime Team Leader said:

    “This operation shows the benefits of joint agency working in protecting the most vulnerable. Our officers were on site following reports that this was an illegal waste transfer station along with suspected illegal export of waste electrical equipment. The Environment Agency will continue to work tirelessly with partners, targeting those who are suspected to be involved in waste crime and those who pollute the environment.”

    If you know or suspect illegal waste activity, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers: Crimestoppers or call 0800 555 111.

    Officers on site - 17 October 2025
    Image of car parts on site

  • Granville Landfill Update - October 2025

    The site operator is currently filling the final waste cell on site and installing horizontal gas wells to begin capturing gas from newly deposited waste. This is an important step in controlling landfill gas emissions.

    In December 2025, the operator has arranged for permanent gas wells to be installed in the previously filled cell to enhance long-term gas collection. While this work is necessary, it may result in a temporary increase in odour during the drilling process.

    The onsite gas plant continues to burn captured landfill gas, helping to reduce odour and carbon emissions while supplying approximately 1 MW of electricity to the grid. These activities form part of the operators ongoing obligations to manage gas and odour in line with their permit requirements.

    We are working closely with the site operator and the local council to monitor progress and ensure that environmental standards and permit conditions are being met. We continue to carry out regular inspections to monitor progress and ensure compliance.

  • Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited Update - 3 October 2025

    The Environment Agency has been informed that the liquidators acting for Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Ltd (SWRCL) have disclaimed both of the environmental permits that they hold. This means that the permits no longer exist.

    As there are no environmental permits now in place for this site, any waste stored there is not legitimate and needs to be lawfully removed.

    We are currently taking steps to confirm whether there is a new occupier of the site. We will engage with any new occupier and the landowner of the site regarding the requirement for them to remove the waste.

    We are working with partners including Stoke on Trent City Council as part of our investigations.

    We will continue to update our Engagement HQ website when we have further news to share with the community.

  • Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited Update - 19 August 2025

    The Environment Agency was informed on 11 August 2025 that Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Ltd (SWRCL) has entered Liquidation.

    This event has no effect on the existence of SWRCL or the Environmental Permits. The Liquidators remain bound by the conditions of the permits and any statutory notices in relation to it.

    We will engage with the Liquidators about their intentions for the site and plans to comply with the Environmental Permits and any statutory notices.

    We will update our Engagement HQ website when we have further news to share with the community.

  • Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited Update - 24 July 2025

    Today (24 July), the Environment Agency has issued a Revocation Notice to Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited (SWRCL) for the Environmental Permit EPR/WE2469AA. The revocation is due to come into effect on 22 August 2025.

    Once the permit has been revoked, this means that SWRCL will no longer be authorised to operate its waste transfer station.

    SWRCL must also take the steps set out in the notice to store waste in a manner that minimises the risk of pollution to the local environment and residents whilst they work to remove the waste.

    If SWRCL do not comply with the notice, it will be committing an offence.

    SWRCL has the right to appeal the decision to revoke their permit through the Planning Inspectorate. Any Notice of Appeal must be submitted before 22 August 2025.

    We will continue to update our Engagement HQ website when we have further news to share with the community. 

  • Plasgran Update - 30 June 2025

    We have received an increase in odour reports over May and June 2025. We have carried out site inspections and/or undertaken off-site odour assessments on 14 occasions in June 2025. Officers have detected odour in the local area, which drifts on the wind, and is most likely to affect residents living downwind of the site. The odour has variously had a sewage-like smell, a bin waste-like smell, and an effluent/chemical-like smell.

    We have had further discussions with Plasgran Ltd (PL) about odour sources on the site. Our regulatory work continues to focus on odourous processes and the appropriate measures necessary to comply with the permit.

    We have completed an audit of the Wastewater Treatment process. In July 2025 we will carry out an audit of other operations at the site, which have potential emission points that might lead to off-site odour.

    We have received fewer fly reports in comparison to previous years. Fly numbers appear well controlled by PL on the site, with minimal numbers. Weekly fly reports from PL confirm what we see during site inspections. We will continue to monitor this situation.

    The review of the permit is continuing. An inspection of the site, required as part of this process, has taken place.

    We will continue to carry out announced and unannounced site inspections and audits, and regular off-site odour assessments.

  • Joint waste crime initiative - Thursday 12 June

    On Thursday 12 June officers from the Environment Agency and partners from West Mercia Police, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) took part in a joint initiative to tackle illegal waste activities in the Pershore and Peopleton areas of Worcestershire.

    The aim of the day was to stop illegal waste disposal at non-permitted locations, identify those responsible for depositing the waste and to deter others from doing so in the future.

    Two vehicles were seized as part of the operation and several others were stopped to check their waste transfer notes and carriers licences, condition of the vehicles, insurance details and operators licences.

    Alan Kerr Environmental Crime Team Leader said:

    Working in a proactive partnership with other law enforcement agencies and officers from local authorities is the most effective way to disrupt and deal with waste criminals. This operation has shown the effectiveness of this approach and goes towards not only tackling waste criminality in the Pershore and Peopleton areas of Worcestershire but also throughout the United Kingdom.

    If you know or suspect illegal waste activity, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers: Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)  or call 0800 555 111.

  • Update - Plasgran - June 2025

    Since March 2025 we have received an increasing number of odour reports. We have discussed these with Plasgran Ltd (PL) and were notified about an issue with the sedimentation tank. PL carried out maintenance work in April 2025 to address this issue.

    On 27 May 2025, officers carried out a site inspection, including an off-site odour assessment. On this occasion, there was a minimal amount of waste present and a small number of flies were visible in the waste reception area. An intermittent hydrogen sulphide odour (rotten egg smell) was detected next to the water treatment plant on the site. The same odour was detected at 2 distinct locations outside the site boundary but was not widespread.

    We have continued with our regulatory work, which includes announced and unannounced site inspections, and regular off-site odour assessments. We have also begun a permit review.

    The site is not the only regulated facility in the area, and we will continue to regulate, to ensure that all operators comply with their environmental permits and are taking appropriate measures to control odour and flies.

  • Granville Landfill - May 2025

    Further horizontal wells have been installed in the current active cell, to enable gas capture from the newly deposited waste.

    Construction of the latest cell is ongoing and progressing well. The gas plant has had one new engine and continues to burn the captured gas to generate electricity and reduce carbon emissions. This ongoing work will reduce gas release and odour. We continue to carry out regular visits and odour tours.

    Construction of new cell - May 2025