EPA Victoria has fined two waste tyre firms more than $20,000 following a snap inspection at an Altona North tyre recycler.
Autocycle International Pty Ltd and VR Tyre Recycling Pty Ltd were each fined $10,455 for failing to record the transport and delivery of 300 waste tyres in the EPA Waste Tracker system.
Tyres are one of the waste streams that pose the greatest risk of harm to human health and the environment if they’re not lawfully disposed of. Waste tyre stockpiles can lead to fires that are difficult to control.
Under Victorian law, tyres are classified as Reportable Priority Waste, along with materials such as contaminated soil, asbestos and many chemical and biological wastes.
Any person or business that generates, transports, accepts or stores Reportable Priority Waste is required to record it in the EPA Waste Tracker system so that the waste can be tracked from generation to disposal. Creating waste records in Waste Tracker is mandatory before transporting Reportable Priority Waste.
EPA Executive Director of Operations Rachel Gualano said EPA authorised officers are conducting random and targeted inspections to monitor Waste Tracker compliance.
“Accurate recording of waste movements is a critical requirement for protecting communities and the environment from hazardous waste.
“Each instance of a missing or an incomplete Waste Tracker record is a separate offence. We won’t hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that breach their obligations under the Act,” Ms Gualono said.
Enforcing compliance with the Waste Tracker system is a top priority in the state-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping.
To understand your obligations on handling waste tyres, go to EPA’s dedicated Waste Tyre web page(opens in a new window).
