Let's recycle by Steve Eminton 15 October 2012
In January 2011, an explosion in one of the vessels at the plant
resulted in two men being injured, one of whom subsequently died (see letsrecycle.com story). An investigation into the explosion is ongoing and is being led by South Yorkshire Police.
However, it is thought that because of the administration of the business, the Crown Prosecution Service and the HSE might weigh up the costs of any case and likelihood of funds recovery when determining the extent of any legal action.
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “It’s true that Sterecycle have gone into administration and will unfortunately be closed down. However, South Yorkshire Police, along with Health and Safety Executive are continuing their investigation and evidence will be placed before the CPS for a decision in the near future.”
Observers put the failure of the Sterecycle plant down to various factors including financing and difficulties in securing the markets for compost like outputs. The bulk of the material into the plant came from a grouping of councils – Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham – who are now sending their waste to the Veolia ES energy recovery plant in Sheffield (see letsrecycle.com story).
Creditors of Sterecycle (Rotherham) Ltd are likely to get a
dividend from the demise of the business but the amount could depend on
the outcome of any talks with the Health and Safety Executive and South
Yorkshire Police with regards to legal action following a fatality at
the plant in 2011.
However, it is thought that because of the administration of the business, the Crown Prosecution Service and the HSE might weigh up the costs of any case and likelihood of funds recovery when determining the extent of any legal action.
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “It’s true that Sterecycle have gone into administration and will unfortunately be closed down. However, South Yorkshire Police, along with Health and Safety Executive are continuing their investigation and evidence will be placed before the CPS for a decision in the near future.”
Observers put the failure of the Sterecycle plant down to various factors including financing and difficulties in securing the markets for compost like outputs. The bulk of the material into the plant came from a grouping of councils – Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham – who are now sending their waste to the Veolia ES energy recovery plant in Sheffield (see letsrecycle.com story).
