A Coolaroo recycling facility has been told by EPA to stop accepting any type of combustible recyclable waste material.
Phoenix Environmental Group Pty Ltd mainly accepts, handles, stores and transports construction and demolition waste and household waste including but not limited to plastic, timber, fabric, cardboard, e-waste, glass, insulation material, bricks, rubble, floc, mattresses, tyres, organic material, and green waste.
During an inspection of the site in October Environment Protection Authority officers observed waste was stored in a manner that increased the risk of fire.
“Phoenix has been issued an EPA Prohibition Notice telling it not to accept new waste until further notice and by 17 November, 2021 they must have reconfigured the stockpiled waste to reduce the risk,” said Rachel Gualano, Director EPA Metropolitan Regions.
“Through EPA’s Fire Prevention Program we take a zero tolerance approach to any risk that is not properly controlled putting the community and environment at risk.”
At the end of October 2021, EPA had conducted 499 inspections assessing 305 sites and issuing 20 Penalty Infringement Notices.
In September this year, EPA also charged Phoenix with offences under the Environment Protection Act 1970 for failing to take reasonable steps to maintain adequate fire risk management at its Maffra St site. As that matter is before the courts EPA cannot comment further.
