SEPA refuse Scots man who tried to send 500 bikes to Africa

Mr Carter told BBC Scotland’s Drivetime on Thursday that he had gathered the bikes from Scottish recycling centres to offer to Scottish charities – and those not taken were given to a charity in Sudan.

The current civil war in the north east African country means there is a lack of resources such as oil and fuel, so bikes have become more sought after.

The bikes were shipped in a container to a Scottish port, where it was stopped for an inspection by environment officials.

Gary Walker, a waste manager at Sepa, said some of the bikes needed repairs before they could be reused.

The container was sent back to Mr Carter.

He told the BBC he thought it was “ludicrous” that his container had not met the shipping requirements.

Mr Carter said he did not think there was a set standard that the bicycles were marked against and the inspector’s decision was arbitrary.

“It’s as whimsical as if someone were to have a bad day, they could refuse the container,” he said.