Brazil is returning 1,500 tonnes of hazardous waste that arrived from Britain labelled recyclable plastic.

The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources said 89 containers left for the UK from the port of Santos yesterday.

They arrived between February and May at three Brazilian ports. Although the containers were labelled recyclable plastic they were found to be packed with domestic and hospital waste including used syringes and condoms. Three men in Britain have been arrested in connection with an investigation into alleged illegal shipments of waste after raids by the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Police on three properties in Swindon last month.

Men aged 49, 28 and 24 were detained before being bailed until the end of October.

Waste can be sent abroad for recycling, but it is illegal to export it for disposal.

The maximum penalty for breaking the rules is an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Brazil's government said it would make a formal complaint to the World Trade Organisation over the container deliveries.

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