Three former employees blew the whistle on a Knighton company accused of breaching its waste management licence by not disposing of fridges properly, a court has heard.
The worried staff members approached the Environment Agency about the operations of Bromfield Industrial Services, of Ludlow Road, Knighton, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told this week.
The prosecution allege that the firm was operating in a way which led to the escape of ozone-depleting substances into the atmosphere, causing pollution to the environment and harm to human health.
The Environment Agency already had concerns regarding the lack of records at the company following an inspection in February 2006.
Robert Sant, a former director of the company, is charged with five counts of breaching a condition of a waste management licence between April 1, 2005 and November 21, 2007, and one of treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health, and that the offences were committed with the consent, connivance or were attributable to the neglect of Robert Sant.
Jonathan Salmon, prosecuting for the EA, said there were problems with the disposal of oil and foam used in the cooling and insulation systems of some types of fridge. The court heard that both the coolant and foam in many old fridges contain harmful CFC and HCFC chemicals.
Jonathan Kirkman, a former worker at the site, said fridges were not sorted according to type but according to size. This meant those containing harmful chemicals were often crushed rather being disposed of in a sealed environment.
The trial continues.