This week NationalWorld has exposed some of the biggest and worst offenders when it comes to environmental crime.
Their crimes, which span across the last two decades, have ranged from polluting waterways to leaking radioactive waste.
Some of the incidents have had major and significant impacts on England’s precious natural environment, resulting in courts handing down fines worth thousands – and sometimes millions – of pounds to perpetrators.
Here is what has been uncovered this week by NationalWorld:
Huge drop in prosecutions of companies for environmental crime as charity warns cuts have left watchdog toothless Water companies prosecuted hundreds of times for environmental crime More than 40 councils in England and Scotland prosecuted for pollution Dozens of companies prosecuted for radioactive waste and pollution offences in England and Wales over two decades The companies prosecuted for polluting England’s environment
Among the perpetrators are more than 2,500 companies – including household or High Street names.
Here we reveal 12 of the most well known.
5. The Boots Company
The Boots Company was fined £10,000 in 2007 after hundreds of fish died when waste escaped from an underground pipe in Tottle Brook in Nottingham. Image: Shutterstock Photo: Shutterstock
6. Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport was fined £13,300 in 2010 for failing to comply with Section 85 (6) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Photo: Shutterstock
7. Asda
Asda Stores has been prosecuted twice, in 2005 and 2007, with fines reaching £13,000. The two charges were for offences committed under Section 85 (1) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Image: Shutterstock Photo: Shutterstock
8. Pizza Express
Pizza Express was ordered to pay £75,000 in 2004 for failing to comply with The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997. Image: Shutterstock Photo: Shutterstock