A businessman from Dunfermline has been given a community payback order of 250 hours for illegally disposing of potentially deadly asbestos near a Fife primary school.
Graeme Burt, who runs a garage renovation and building service business, had previously pled guilty to the contravention of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on July 4 2017.
The incident happened on June 13, 2016, at Aberhill Industrial Estate in Methil, which is close to Aberhill Primary School, a nursing home, and surrounding residential properties.
The fly-tipping came to light when a routine patrol by an estate employee found what appeared to be old asbestos sheeting at the rear of an industrial unit.
CCTV footage showed Burt depositing sheets from the rear of a white Ford Transit van.
The cost of removing the waste fell to the landowner.
Sara Shaw, wildlife and environment procurator fiscal, said: “Fly-tipping can cause serious pollution of our environment and can be harmful to human health and wildlife. It is unsightly and costly to clear up.
“Graeme Burt showed a lack of consideration for the environment and the potential health of others by his deliberate and criminal action.
“There is no excuse for illegal dumping, especially of hazardous wastes such as asbestos, and those who choose to engage in it will be brought to account for their actions.”
The waste contained asbestos types crocidolite and chrysotile and, in the event that the asbestos fibres became airborne, it posed a risk to human health by inhalation.
SEPA officers investigated the case and interviewed Burt about the incident.
They identified him as the man in the CCTV footage.
