A FRIDGE disposal boss whose contract was cancelled says the decision could cost 90 jobs.
Bob Bulcock’s Oldham-based company Britannia Import Export was employed to tackle “fridge mountains” across Greater Manchester.
The M.E.N. revealed on Saturday how the firm was dumped by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority amid allegations it had not made enough effort to license its sites.
There have also been a number of fires at Britannia fridge depots including a major blaze at Riverpark Road in Newton Heath, Manchester, on January 2 – the second there in eight days.
Mr Bulcock said: “The first I heard about this was in the paper and I was very upset. It is totally disgraceful.
“We had 11 sites and now we are down to just two. We have just got everything right. This has upset me and my family.”
European laws in 2002 made it illegal to landfill fridges without first removing harmful greenhouse gases.
Mr Bulcock said he had stored a maximum of 150,000 fridges and got no more than £5 per item, with more than half of that going on staff and other costs.
GMWDA chairman Neil Swannick said Britannia would have its contract terminated from January 5. “We believe they have committed breaches relating to site licences,” he said.
The sacking completes a difficult year for Britannia. Four months ago the firm was fined £35,500, and Mr Bulcock a further £15,000, for environmental breaches.
From Manchester Online