Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered ReNu Waste Pty Ltd, a company that is researching tyre recycling, to cut back on the stockpile of waste tyres at its Mildura premises.
ReNu Waste operates under an EPA Research, Development and Demonstration Approval, and EPA officers conducting a routine inspection found the company had exceeded the permitted amount of tyres in its stockpile.
EPA’s Regional Manager North West, Dr Scott Pigdon, said EPA had issued the company with a fine of $7929 and a Clean Up Notice, a legally enforceable instruction that the company stop accepting tyres at the site and reduce the number in its stockpile to a legally permitted level.
“Any premises in Victoria that stores more than 40 tonnes or 5000 Equivalent Passenger Tyres requires an EPA Works Approval or an EPA Licence,” Dr Pigdon said.
“Our investigators estimated ReNu Waste was storing more than twice the State’s policy limit at their Benetook Avenue site, which sits on the outskirts of Mildura,” he said.
The tyres were arranged in the correct manner, but they had too many tyres on site and didn’t have the appropriate EPA approvals or EPA licence for the amount they had,” Dr Pigdon said.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2008, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.
Dr Pigdon said stockpiles of tyres represent several hazards, and there are clear State Government regulations for their safe storage.
“If stored waste tyres catch fire they will generate toxic smoke and can be very difficult to extinguish,” he said.
EPA introduced tighter controls for waste tyre storage in 2015. The regulations allow smaller numbers where there is a legitimate reuse for them, but where tyres are just stockpiled or creating a hazard, EPA urges owners to dispose of them responsibly, at a landfill or recycling facility.
Any business storing more than the allowed amount at unlicensed premises can face a penalty of up to $373,104 under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
The EPA website offers advice and the regulations for the safe storage of tyres, at:
www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/guidelines/waste-guidance/storage-of-waste-tyres-in-victoria
For EPA’s advice on how tyres can be used on farm land or other private property, visit: www.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/1652.pdf
If any member of 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).