Published: Friday, 8th May 2026
Rico Sabor Ltd has been fined £15,000 by magistrates following non-payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for failing to produce waste documents.
In January 2023, a neighbouring business reported excessive waste behind Rico Sabor which was spilling onto its land.
Following the report, Medway Council’s Environmental Enforcement investigated and confirmed the report, and identified the directors of the business.
On 16 January 2023, council officers wrote to the directors under Section 35 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to request waste documents.
All business owners have a duty of care to ensure their waste is disposed of correctly and must be able to account for the transfer of waste. This includes keeping waste contract and transfer records for a minimum of two years.
Despite a reminder being sent on 16 February 2023, no response was received, and on 16 March 2023 an FPN was issued for failure to produce waste documents.
Payment of the FPN was not received, so the case was referred to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court and heard on Wednesday, 1 April 2026. The case was proved in absence, with a total fine of £15,000 handed down.
Cllr Alex Paterson, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Enforcement, said: “Businesses have a responsibility to make sure that the waste they create is stored and disposed of correctly – just like all of us do at home. I would like to thank our hardworking team who secured a great result in this case. Any type of incorrect waste disposal is not tolerated in Medway, and we will always follow through with enforcement when people are caught, and legal action when appropriate.”
Find out more about commercial waste on the Medway Council website.