Bikes destined for African communities rejected at port

Key Points

• Nigel Carter gathered bicycles across Scotland to donate to a charity in Sudan.

• The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) stopped the shipment at a Scottish port due to needed repairs.

• Gary Walker, a waste manager at SEPA, stated that some of the bikes required minor repairs.

• The container was sent back to Mr. Carter, who expressed his disappointment and frustration with the situation.

• SEPA stated that they were not confident that the bikes would be reused as bikes.

• The 500 bikes risk being scrapped or taken back to the recycling center where they were picked from.

Background

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has deemed the shipment of 500 bikes as waste due to minor repairs needed before they could be reused. According to Gary Walker, a waste manager at SEPA, some of the bikes required oil on chains, rusted frames, and broken brake cables.

Container Inspection

The container carrying the bikes was stopped at a Scottish port for inspection by environment officials. Mr. Walker stated that the repairs necessary to the bikes meant they were considered waste. He claimed that it was his duty to ensure that Scotland’s waste was not simply dumped in another country.

Charity’s Disappointment

SEPA contacted Nigel Carter about the bicycle repairs before shipment, but he did not take any action. The charity receiving the bikes had picked them out and were happy with their condition, Mr. Carter said. However, SEPA expressed disappointment in the condition of the bikes by the time they were shipped.

Consequences

The container was sent back to Nigel Carter, who fears that the bikes will now be scrapped or taken back to the recycling centre. He believes it is “ludicrous” that his container had not met the shipping requirements and thinks it has become an “endless cycle” of waste.

Context

The current civil war in Sudan means there is a lack of resources such as oil and fuel, making bikes more sought after. The charity was relying on these donations to help people access cheap transportation.

• 500 bicycles were collected from Scottish recycling centres for donation to a charity in Sudan.

• SEPA deemed the shipment as waste due to minor repairs needed before reuse.

• Nigel Carter fears that the bikes will be scrapped or taken back to the recycling centre.

• The charity was relying on these donations to help people access cheap transportation.