Bitcoin Belongs in Wallets, Not Landfills: Man Sues City Council

Welsh IT specialist James Howells is suing Newport City Council for £495 million after his hard drive containing Bitcoin worth £569 million ended up in a landfill.

Hafina Eddy-Evans, the woman at the center of the Newport Bitcoin saga, revealed that she was the one who threw away James Howells’ hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins. She asserts, though, that it was at his direction.

Hafina Eddy-Evans discarded Bitcoin-laden hard drive. Source: Daily Mail

Eddy-Evans, the mother of Howells’ two teenage sons, recounted tossing the device in black garbage bags while running errands, unaware of its future worth.

Yes, I threw away his rubbish, he asked me to. It was years ago… But I hope he finds it, not that I want a penny of his money, but it will shut him up!

Hafina Eddy-Evans admitted.

The face of a man who thought 8,000 Bitcoins weren’t worth keeping. Source: Daily Mail

In 2009, Howells mined 8,000 Bitcoins. After accidentally spilling lemonade on his laptop, he stripped it for parts, keeping the hard drive as a souvenir.

When the couple split, Howells instructed Eddy-Evans to dispose of some items he deemed unnecessary, including the seemingly worthless drive.

Now, the almost-Bitcoin millionaire is seeking approval to excavate the landfill where the hard drive was thrown away. 

The landfill reportedly holds more than 1.4 million tons of trash. Howells has pinpointed a smaller section of the site, meaning his search—should permission be granted—will involve sorting through just 100,000 tons of waste.

The landfill site where Howells plans to uncover his Bitcoin stash. Source: Daily Mail

Citing environmental and logistical risks, the Newport City Council has consistently declined Howells’ excavation requests.

Excavation is not possible under our environmental permit, and work of that nature would have a huge negative environmental impact on the surrounding area

a Council official stated.

Howells claims his property is being unjustly withheld and has launched a legal battle to reclaim it. The case will have its first hearing on December 3.