BUSINESSES in the North West are the worst polluters in the country, according to a new report.

Companies in the region recorded 15 per cent of all prosecutions for pollution offences - the highest of any region - with 3,532 incidents. The report was produced by the National Centre for Business Ecology for Biffa Waste Services.

It warns that a proper strategy is needed to manage waste from the 4.1 billion tonnes of solid and liquid resources consumed annually in the UK, 97.5 per cent of which ends up in the atmosphere, landfill sites, rivers and seas.

And it warns that consumers will inevitably have to pay a higher price to cover the increasing cost of managing waste products.

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