Recycle-row firm's patience in shreds

Mr Ashby, from the financial services company Ashby & Nightingale, in Crabtree Lane, said Adur Council threatened to take him to court because he wanted to recycle the small amount of shredded paper they produce every week.

He said two officials visited his offices, where nine people work, last month for an audit and he was told he needed a duty of care certificate to recycle any waste produced by the firm.

Afterwards, he contacted the council directly and was told it would be illegal to take the shredded paper home and use it as compost and he would also be breaking the law if he gave the paper to his staff to use as bedding for their guinea pigs.

He said: "I find it quite ridiculous. I feel as a business rate-payer, I have been penalised for having a High Street shop and victimised by this audit. They have stated that anybody who works from home are also producing trade waste."

Mr Ashby said he even asked about taking home used tea bags, which he uses in compost and was told that was also illegal.

He said: "They actually told me categorically that I cannot

take tea bags home because I have not got an audit trail showing how they are disposed of."

He thought Adur Council staff were being jobsworths over the issue.

When Mr Ashby received the letter threatening him with legal action, he contacted SITA, which regulates waste management and was issued with the correct paperwork, so he will not face prosecution.

An Adur Council spokesman said the collection of trade waste was not included in the business rate and the council did not provide a collection service to companies.

The spokesman added: "If the council was to operate a recycling collection from businesses, there would be a cost implication. The council does not think this should be borne by council taxpayers."