A n Oxford carpet company has been fined £2,000 for dodging fees for disposing of commercial waste by claiming it was domestic rubbish.

Oxford Carpets and Furniture Limited had been using the Redbridge Waste and Recycling Centre to falsely claim that the waste they were disposing of was domestic when they should have been paying for commercial waste disposal. 

The company on Abingdon Road was taken to Oxford Magistrates' Court last month.

And the prominent provider of furnishings in the Oxford area faced charges related to improper waste disposal practices.

READ MORE: Police set up TWO DIFFERENT crime scenes as murder investigation launched

The business has been fined £2,000 for failing to comply with the duty to dispose of controlled waste under section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

As well as the £2,000 fine, the company faced additional costs including a victim surcharge of £800 and £500 legal costs. 

Oxford Mail: Oxford Carpets and Furniture (Image: Google Maps)Oxford Carpets and Furniture (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Google Maps)

The investigation into Oxford Carpets and Furniture Limited's waste disposal practices was launched following reports from Oxfordshire County Council and the household waste and recycling centre at Redbridge.  

Dan Levy, Oxford City Council’s cabinet member for citizen-focused services and council companies, said:  “Concerns were raised regarding the improper disposal of commercial waste in household bins, prompting an inquiry by the Community Response Team at Oxford City Council. 

Oxford Mail: Dan Levy Dan Levy (Image: West Oxfordshire District Council)"We are determined to make sure that commercial waste is disposed of appropriately and working with our colleagues at the county council, will always pursue transgressors when possible.” 

Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, businesses are legally obligated to ensure the safe handling and disposal of waste within their possession.

READ MORE: Everything we know so far about 'stabbing' near mosque

This includes the completion of transfer notes during waste transactions to document proper disposal methods and adherence to regulations. 

Subsequently, a Section 34 Notice was issued to Oxford Carpets and Furniture Limited, requiring the submission of waste transfer notes detailing their waste management procedures.

The failure to comply with the duty imposed by section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 resulted in the successful prosecution. 

Deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Pete Sudbury, added the prosecution should act as a warning to other businesses planning to do the same thing.

He said: “Our household waste and recycling centres provide a service for our residents to dispose of their household waste.

"They are not there for a minority of unscrupulous traders to get rid of commercial waste.

"Hopefully this prosecution and substantial fine will act as a warning to any businesses planning to do anything similar in the future.

"Our teams will follow up their suspicions and so it’s not worth the risk.”