The Latvian governments environmental service (SES), in cooperation with the relevant Polish authorities, has stopped the illegal import of plastic & rubber waste from the UK by a local company, the agency announced 18 June.

Over a three-week period between 25 May and 16 June, nearly 550 tonnes of plastic and rubber waste was imported from the UK by a company called SIA Why Recycle without prior approval, said a release by the environmental board of Semigallia region.

The SES said it is now taking measures to return the waste to its country of origin and will cover the costs from Why Recycle's financial security of €100,000.

Based in the central Latvian town of Jelgava, Why Recycle operates a plastic waste recycling plant and has a permit to sort or temporarily store municipal waste.