Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited
Background
Where is the site?
The site is located at Fowlea Brook, Porthill Road, Stoke on Trent, ST6 4NL. Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited (SWRCL) entered liquidation on 11 August 2025. The liquidators acting for SWRCL have disclaimed both of the environmental permits that they held for this site. This means that the permits no longer exist.
What permit(s) does the operator hold?
The operator previously held two permits (EPR/WE2469AA and EPR/WE1511AA), but following liquidation both permits were disclaimed, meaning 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.
Regulatory Activity
The Environment Agency (EA) has carried out significant regulatory activity at the site since the permits were issued in 2018 and 2019. This includes announced and unannounced site inspections, regulatory meetings and liaison with the operator.
The EA issued Revocation Notices for both permits earlier in summer/autumn 2025. The operator went into liquidation in August 2025 and the liquidators subsequently disclaimed the permits, including the requirements imposed on the operator by the Revocation Notices.
Since the liquidation of the company, we have continued to monitor the site and have recently issued a notice under Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to the current occupier.
Latest News
What is the latest news?
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.
We will continue to update our Engagement HQ website when we have further news to share with the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are you enforcing the current Suspension Notice?
The EA is carrying out activities to prevent further acceptance of waste on the site following the issue of the Notice, including writing to waste producers to remind them of their obligations to only deposit wastes at sites authorised to accept it. The EA are also regularly monitoring the site by drone flights and site inspections to ensure no further waste is being accepted.
What happens if the operator does not complete the actions required by the Suspension Notice by 6 June 2025?
Should the requirements of the Notice not be complied with, the EA will consider what further enforcement action may be appropriate.