Biffa has been convicted of breaking the law by labelling household rubbish as ‘waste paper’ and exporting it to China.

The Environment Agency investigated the bundles, and found that instead of waste paper, household waste including plastic bags, nappies, sanitary towels, clothes, toiletries, glass, plastics and electrical items were found in 25-tonne containers bound for China.

Sending unsorted household waste to China has been illegal since 2006. Only paper waste can be legally sent to the country, and the Environment Agency said jurors did not accept Biffa’s claim that the contaminated bundles were made up of waste paper.

Biffa ‘strongly contested’ the decision and is said to be considering an appeal, arguing that its containers were regularly inspected by Chinese customs agents, and that firms buying the waste often inspected the containers before they were shipped to ensure they contained the industry standard 98.5%.

Sentencing has been deferred until 27 September. The EA say Biffa has agreed to a £9912 crime payment.