A Campbellfield company that provides professional storage and disposal services of hazardous and industrial waste has today been fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to storing hazardous waste (known as prescribed industrial waste) without a licence.
The Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard the discovery was made after a fire broke out at a licensed premises occupied by Bradbury Industrial Services Pty Ltd in Campbellfield on 3 April 2013.
The company specialises in treating solvent and other waste from paint and other related industries and held an EPA licence for its site at 98-100 Merola Way.
EPA officers went out to follow up on the fire and as part of the investigation found the company was storing more than 40,000 litres of waste from paint, ink and related industries at a nearby unlicensed factory.
The officers found the waste was being stored in 1000 litre containers at the factory, which is where the company had been keeping its trucks.
Samples taken confirmed the waste was Category A – Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW). Category A PIW requires the highest level of management due to its potential to be hazardous to human health and the environment.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970, it is an offence to accept PIW, or to operate a facility that stores and treats PIW from other industries without an EPA licence or approval.
EPA issued the company with three notices requiring all industrial waste be removed from the unlicensed factory and that it clean up contamination that had occurred at the premises. The company complied with these notices.
Bradbury Industrial Services pleaded guilty to two charges under the Environment Protection Act 1970 to operating a facility without a licence and storing Prescribed Industrial Waste at an unlicensed site.
In sentencing, Magistrate Fella said a strong message needed to be sent to the community in relation to general deterrence, especially in relation to dealing with some of the most hazardous waste in our community.
In addition to the $15,000 fine, the Magistrate also ordered the company pay $7, 611 in legal costs within three months.
“This court outcome highlights that failure to comply with waste management laws can lead to significant fines,” EPA Executive Director of Regional Services, Damian Wells said.
“Whether you’re a waste producer, transporter, or receiver, you have a responsibility to manage your waste safely and responsibly."
“Licences are there to help protect the environment and the community. If a site is not managed properly, hazardous waste has the potential to impact local stormwater systems.