Spectra Photo fined for failing to publicise camera recycling fund

A photo processing company was ordered to pay more than €10,000 in fines and costs yesterday for failing to inform customers …

A photo processing company was ordered to pay more than €10,000 in fines and costs yesterday for failing to inform customers that they can return old electronic cameras for recycling when buying a new one.

Spectra Photo Ltd was fined €2,000 and ordered to pay legal and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) costs of €8,140 for failing to display notices at its Grafton Street, Dublin store outlining the terms of the producer recycling fund (PRF) on October 6th last. A second charge of failing to specify in the company's brochure the exact PRF cost for each camera was taken into account.

The Listowel-based company, founded in 1970 by its chief executive Xavier McAuliffe, was not represented at yesterday's hearing in Dublin District Court, which heard there had been only cursory responses to EPA inquiries before prosecution was initiated.

EPA inspector, Dr Gerry Byrne, told the court that in September he had sent numerous letters to the company inquiring whether they were in compliance and received only "brief or non-responses". He also phoned the shop and was told the regulations did not apply to them.

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When he visited the store in October, there were no signs on display and staff were not aware of what their obligations were under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations.

He also picked up a one-page brochure which did not contain specific PRF charges for each camera.

Dr Byrne said he visited the shop yesterday morning and a notice had been put up which did not comply with the wording required under the regulations.

Judge Brian Sheridan said he was satisfied the company had not complied. He ordered the fines and costs be paid to the EPA.

The court heard this was only the second prosecution since the WEEE regulations came in last August.

At Wexford District Court in January, the chemists, Boots Retail Ireland, pleaded guilty to similar offences.