The jury did not accept Biffa's version of events that consignments leaving its depot in Edmonton four years ago complied with the law because they comprised of waste paper. Biffa was also ordered to pay costs of £240,000 and a further £9,912 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Malcolm Lythgo, head of waste at the EA, said: "Illegal waste export blights the lives and environment of those overseas. We continue to treat illegal waste exports as a priority and will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those found to break the rules." Biffa strongly contests the case and has begun a formal process of appeal. In a statement it said: "This case related to contamination levels in seven containers of mixed paper that were due for export to China over four years ago.