A Moolap recycling company has been fined after failing to notify the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) when stockpiles of soft plastic waste exceeded size limits.
G.T. Plastic Recyclers was fined $10,000 for breaching the conditions of a permit from EPA Victoria after officers found stockpiles of soft plastics up to four meters high during an unannounced inspection.
EPA Southwest Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane said remedial notices were issued immediately as the waste piles were too high and close together, increasing the risk and severity of a fire.
“Aerial photography showed us the large stockpiles of combustible waste did not comply with the EPA guidelines that are designed to minimise the risk of fire,” she said.
“The message for other waste and recycling businesses is that they must comply with their EPA permission conditions to avoid a fine or prosecution.
“The company’s failure to report the non-compliance to EPA was another breach of the permit conditions and demonstrates poor risk management practices that can lead to an uncontrollable fire.”
Ms Loughnane said a registration, permit, or license was an authorisation for business activity, and a clear set of conditions must be met.
“These conditions are designed to manage to risk of a fire that can be disastrous for human health and the environment,” she said.
“EPA officers conducting proactive fire prevention work are still finding unacceptable fire risks in the waste and recycling industry, and G.T. Recyclers is just another example.”
