Neath Port Talbot Council has secured a £2,085.54 penalty against a waste removal contractor after 14 black bags of household waste were dumped beneath the M4 flyover near Port Talbot. Nathan Pearce, 35, pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates Court to illegally depositing controlled waste and transporting waste without registration. The case followed an investigation into a fly-tip at Baglan Energy Park, where officers found bags containing toys, clothing and kitchenware. It offers a clear reminder that householders must check that anyone paid to remove waste is a registered carrier and can confirm where it will be taken.
Waste Found Beneath Flyover
Enforcement officers attended Baglan Energy Park, beneath the M4 flyover on Brunel Way, on 1 June 2026 after a large fly-tip was reported. The 14 large black bags held household waste that investigators were able to trace to an address in Cwmavon.
The property owner confirmed that waste left by a former tenant had been due for removal. All In One Construction had responded to an online advert and was hired to remove and dispose of the material. Witness evidence showed that business owner Nathan Pearce attended the property twice to collect household and construction waste, including roofing tiles and asbestos.
The customer paid £490 for the waste removal service. That payment highlights the importance of checking the credentials of any operator carrying waste away from a home, particularly where material may need specialist handling.
Evidence Links Collection And Dumping
Further enquiries found that a vehicle linked to Pearce had attended Briton Ferry Recycling Centre on 27 May 2026, the same day the waste was collected from the Cwmavon property. Witnesses confirmed that household items recovered from the fly-tip had come from that address.
CCTV showed a man resembling Pearce speaking to a member of staff before leaving the recycling centre. The waste was later found at a site a two-minute drive from the centre, providing a close geographic link between the collection route and the illegal deposit.
During an interview under caution in July 2026, Pearce replied “no comment” to all questions put to him. The evidence gathered by officers formed the basis of the prosecution heard at Swansea Magistrates Court on 15 October.
Court Imposes Financial Penalty
Pearce, of The Granary, Abercych, Pembrokeshire, pleaded guilty to illegal deposit of controlled waste, contrary to Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He also pleaded guilty to transporting controlled waste without being registered as a waste carrier, contrary to Section 1 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.
The court ordered Pearce to pay £461 for each offence, £794.54 in costs and a £369 victim surcharge. The total financial penalty was £2,085.54, to be paid at £100 per month under a collection order.
The case shows the financial consequences of illegal disposal, while also drawing attention to the public cost of clearing fly-tipped material. Waste dumped in public spaces can create an environmental nuisance and leave local authorities to arrange removal.
Advice For Waste Customers
Residents using paid waste removal services are encouraged to ask to see a waste carrier licence and request details of the destination for their waste. These checks can help customers avoid using unregistered operators and support lawful disposal routes.
Councillor Carl Jordan, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said:
“People who pay for waste to be removed quite rightly expect it to be disposed of legally and responsibly. Instead, in this case, a significant amount of waste was dumped beneath a major transport route, creating an eyesore and resulting in unnecessary clean-up costs which are indirectly paid for by the public.
“We remain committed to tackling environmental crime and will continue to pursue those who choose to damage our communities through illegal waste disposal.
“I would urge residents across Neath Port Talbot to protect themselves by ensuring anyone they use to remove waste is properly registered as a waste carrier. Asking to see a waste carrier licence and obtaining details of where the waste will be taken can help prevent further cases like this.”
Residents can check their nearest recycling centre, book a slot and report fly-tipping through a myNPT account. The council’s action in this case demonstrates how reports, witness evidence and site records can be used to pursue environmental crime.
