Business owner fined over $12,000 after alarming behavior uncovered at his shop: 'The council will not hesitate to take action'

An important responsibility of governments around the world is to make rules and regulations that deal with the safe and secure disposal of commercial waste. Business owners then have an obligation to follow those laws and regulations to make sure their fellow citizens and communities remain safe and healthy. When businesspeople fail to follow those obligations, then governments must enforce the laws.

That's exactly what happened in Cheltenham, England, recently. A man named Cameron Thompson pleaded guilty to failing to dispose of waste generated by his automotive repair shop under the country's Environmental Protection Act, Circular reported.

Thompson's company, Overbook Automotive, allegedly allowed toxic waste, which mostly consisted of sealant foam and plastic sheeting, to build up on site, as well as into neighboring properties. The actual site of the business itself had also fallen into disrepair, which led to further toxic litter.

The Cheltenham Magistrates Court fined Cameron Thompson over £12,000 (over $15,400) for the violations.

Toxic litter that is not properly disposed of can cause tons of health risks for the people in the surrounding community. That's why both strong environmental regulations and enforcement of those regulations are so important.

When that doesn't happen, it can be incredibly frustrating to local residents. For instance, activists near a large poultry farm in North Carolina recently drew attention to large piles of feces, urine, and sawdust not being properly disposed of.

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Towns in Connecticut have found that wastewater was not being properly disposed of in the area and ended up contaminating a local river, threatening the health of residents in the vicinity.

The waste being generated by Overbook Automotive is particularly dangerous if not handled properly. The Environmental Protection Agency has detailed rules and recommendations about how to safely handle and dispose of sealants, which include proper safety attire.

But there are responsible business people out there. Some large corporations are making massive efforts to safely dispose of their waste and protect local communities. Companies in Northern Arkansas recently announced the implementation of new septic tank technology that safely treats the wastewater generated by large farms.

Councillor Juliet Layton was adamant about enforcing the environmental laws to protect the community, Circular revealed. "The council will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to comply with their legal obligations." She went on to explain the importance of her mission. "Poor waste management not only harms the environment but also negatively impacts our communities."