Illegal burn offs of industrial waste including treated timber, plastics and tyres appears to be on the rise, according to Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
EPA Executive Director Operations Mark Rossiter says the number of reports for 2023 (88) is already above the two-year (2021 and 2022) average of 84.
“All our regions are reporting problems of improper disposal of industrial wastes to the appropriate facilities and effectively holding their own backyard burn offs,” Mr Rossiter said.
“In the north west around Mildura and Swan Hill we have already issued a public alert about a worrying number of cases particularly by agricultural businesses, causing air quality issues.
“In our south west Victoria region, we have received 23 reports so far this year; ten more than for all of 2022. In our other regions, the reports are almost at last year’s total numbers already.
“Much of the reporting is about tyres, construction and demolition waste being burnt, but household waste and garden waste also features.”
Mr Rossiter says the cost of disposing of industrial waste should be factored into pricing for any job being done. If you’re hiring a waste disposal contractor, you should be making sure they will meet their obligations for correct disposal.
“Everyone has a role in protecting the environment. It is no secret that burning industrial waste is illegal. Rest assured those who are caught doing so will be held to account.”
South west
Nearly twice as many illegal burn off reports to September 2023 than for the whole of 2022. In August 2023 alone, the southwest regional officers were referred to five instances of burning of waste, including a backyard burn of old mattresses as well as farms burning silage wrap, emitting toxic smoke.
