Christopher Williams, 66, was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to two charges of running a waste site without an environmental permit in Gateshead.
The custodial sentence comprises 26 weeks and a further 18 weeks because the conviction placed him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for previous environmental offences.
The court heard that Williams runs an organisation called the LCA Community Charity, which is not a registered charity, from an industrial unit at the site in Gateshead. And advertises as offering help with clothing, furniture and household donations.
The organisation and Williams both hold waste carrier licences, which is a legal requirement to be able to transport waste.
In 2022, the Environment Agency said its officers attended the unit and found a large amount of household waste, including more than 50 fridges and fridge freezers, dismantled furniture, mattresses, sink units, toilet bowls, baths and doors.
Inside one of the two sheds on site, waste was piled 12 feet high, the Environment Agency said. Across the site, the illegally stored waste posed a fire risk, with no separation between piles.
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: “Not only was the waste on-site illegal, but there was a very obvious fire risk.
“Williams was given ample opportunity to clear the waste and was advised how he could operate within the law. But instead, he continued to breach the law with no consideration for the environment or community.
“Environmental permits are in place to protect the public and environment, and I hope this sentence sends out the message to others that we will take action against those involved in illegal waste activity.”
