An Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) notice issued to a Dandenong South company has resulted in a stockpile of over 12,000 whole tyres and about 200 bags of shredded tyres being removed from an industrial site.
The cost of removing both tyres and shredded tyres from the site and taking them to a licensed tyre recycling facility was $70,000.
EPA Acting Southern Metro Manager Marleen Mathias said the tyre stockpile, owned by Clean Energy Group, was a risk to the local community, surrounding industries and the environment; its removal ensured any tyre fire risk at the site was now gone.
“EPA is also aware of a number of shredded tyres being stored at another of the company’s sites and is currently working with the City of Greater Dandenong to ensure the storage of these tyres is in line with EPA’s regulations and works approval conditions and the council’s planning scheme conditions,” Ms Mathias said.
The company has EPA approval to build storage and recycling facilities in Dandenong South but is yet to receive EPA approval to begin operations.
Ms Mathias said tyre fires could cause major pollution of the atmosphere and were incredibly difficult to put out, as was the case when a stockpile caught fire in Broadmeadows earlier this year.
“Once ignited, tyre fires are very hard to control and generate hazardous smoke. This smoke can cause a health risk to the community through the inhalation of particles and chemicals,” Ms Mathias said.
Ms Mathias said that Clean Energy Group had approval to store the tyres at the site, but the way they were stored and the large volume was the issue.
“CFA and MFB have specific guidelines that say there must be fire protection systems in place and separation distances between tyre piles and buildings and roads,” Ms Mathias said.
“The maximum tyre pile dimensions for outdoor stockpiles are 20m long x 6m wide x 3m high to restrict the available fuel in the event of a fire.
“EPA tightened tyre regulations in 2015 to ensure the Victorian public was better protected from the risk of tyre fires from unsafe stockpiles.”
If the community suspects someone is illegally stockpiling tyres or taking them to a place that cannot lawfully accept waste tyres, they are encouraged to contact EPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
To view EPA tyre regulations, and the CFA and MFB guidelines, please visit:
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/guidelines/waste-guidance/storage-of-waste-tyres-in-victoria or http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/setting-standards/waste-tyre-storage-ris