SARP UK

SARP UK was a British chemical waste company and a subsidiary of Vivendi.

History

The company operated a chemical waste plant and incinerator in Killamarsh that caused widespread controversy. The plant released toxic gas clouds into the nearby community in May 1998, and residents began a campaign call for the plant's closure. Six of the seven sections of the plant closed in 1999. The remaining part of the plant was closed in 2002.

In 1999, SARP had been fined a total of £120,000 and ordered to pay £150,000 in costs at Derby Crown Court.

Residents Against SARP Pollution

Residents Against SARP Pollution (RASP) was formed in June 1998 in response to two incidents of toxic gases escaping the SARP UK chemical plant in May 1998, in the town of Killamarsh on the border of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, England. The campaign was formed by local residents and members of the Socialist Party (England and Wales). The campaign eventually succeeded in forcing the closure of most of the SARP plant.

After a public meeting called by the Socialist Party (England and Wales), Ken Coates MEP, who was invited to speak, called for further meetings, which gave rise to the campaign, and also set up an independent inquiry into the site.

The year-long campaign involved marches and rooftop protests. RASP protesters even travelled to SARP's headquarters in France to protest.

The campaigners eventually won the closure of six of the seven sections of the site in late 1999, with the local council looking at siting non-toxic recycling processes on the site.

References

  1. ^ "Pictures show how worried Derbyshire residents fought pollution battle 25 years ago". Derbyshire Times. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Sarp UK LTD Fined £120,000 For Waste And Health And Safety Violations". www.safetyonline.com. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Noxious Emissions..." Corporate Watch. Archived from the original on 13 August 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  4. ^ Stevens, Robert (12 June 1998). "British company leaks deadly gas into residential areas". wsws.org. International Committee of the Fourth International. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  5. ^ Victory Over Polluters, The Socialist 12 November 1999

Further reading