Dutch Recycler Raided by Police over Alleged Fraud

In late January the Rotterdam location for Netherlands-based Peute Recycling was raided by Dutch police in connection with alleged fraud and illegal waste shipments the company made in 2011 and 2012.

In a statement, Recycling Peute has denied the charges made by the Netherlands’ Public Prosecutor.

The environmental team of the Rotterdam Police undertook a search of Peute over fraud and illegal transboundary shipments within Europe and to Asia that the company undertook in 2011 and 2012. The searches, conducted on Jan. 29, were supported by the Netherlands Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), Customs and the Environment Department South Holland South.

In its charges, the Dutch law enforcement agencies say that Peute has been suspected of shipping material that was contaminated with household waste.

The Public Prosecutor added that accompanying documents were supposedly forged to hide the material that was contained in the illegal shipments. Peute allegedly shipped the material to a host of Asian countries, including China, Malaysia and Taiwan without approval from the required agencies.

However, Peute rebutted the charges. "We are transparent at all levels and have fully co-operated. The accusations by the Justice Department are unjust and unfounded," said Peute Recycling in a statement.

"We are completely familiar with the European regulations related to processing and transport of paper and plastic destined for re-use. We are convinced that we fully comply with all rules at all times.”

In the statement, the company says it has never had any problems with the nature and the composition of its material flows over the past fifty two years. "We therefore are very saddened that the Justice department draws a negative image of our activities without any prior investigation. This damages our company and our image unrightfully and not only unfairly discredits our company but our eighty employees too," the company says. "As ever, we fully focus on our service to our customers and suppliers and confidently look forward to the results of the investigation."