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A North East shop has been fined for failing to prove how it gets rid of its waste.
Barakah Retail, based on Chester Road in Sunderland, was ordered to pay £848 after being prosecuted by Sunderland City Council for not providing waste disposal records.
The shop had been issued a £300 fixed penalty notice but failed to pay or supply the required documentation under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The request was made in June last year following complaints from residents about trade waste accumulating behind shops on Chester Road.
Councillor Bill Blackett, cabinet member for environment, transport, and enforcement at Sunderland City Council, said: "Businesses must comply with waste management laws to ensure that trade waste is disposed of responsibly.
"Failure to do so not only harms the environment, it undermines other businesses that do follow the rules and correct procedures to help keep our city clean.
"As a council, we will continue to take enforcement action against businesses that fail to meet their legal obligations."
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires businesses to keep Waste Information Notes for up to two years as proof of lawful waste disposal.
Barakah Retail did not provide the records within the required seven-day period and did not pay the fixed penalty notice, leading to prosecution.
At a hearing on Tuesday, October 13, representatives from the shop admitted the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
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The store was fined £270 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £108 and costs of £470.
The total amount payable was £848.
Concerns about waste, littering, or fly-tipping in the area can be reported to Sunderland City Council through its website at sunderland.gov.uk.