AN Indian restaurant owner has been ordered to pay £3,834 in fines and costs for failing to dispose of waste properly.

Muhammad Aziz Ltd, which runs the Obilash Indian restaurant in Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye, failed to appear at Hereford Magistrates Court to answer to the case, which was proven in its absence.

A spokeswoman for Herefordshire Council said Muhammad Aziz Ltd was convicted of failing to take all reasonable measures to transfer controlled waste to an authorised person or to a person authorised for transport purposes.

It was also found to have failed in its duty of care to transfer business waste to an authorised person and secure the transfer with a written description of the waste.

The business was fined £1,500 for each offence, with costs of £664, and a victim surcharge of £170.

The council spokeswoman said: “All businesses must ensure appropriate duty of care measures are in place so the waste they produce is disposed of correctly.

“Businesses must also have documentation to show who they have transferred the waste to and keep those records for at least two years.

“Household Recycling Centres may only be used by residents in Herefordshire wishing to dispose of their own household waste.

“The deposit of commercial waste (any waste associated with a business) is unlawful at Household Recycling Centres and can result in prosecution.”

More information about business waste and recycling can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk