EPA New South Wales (EPA NSW) has fined an organics waste processing company for exceeding its garden waste limits.
W2R received a $15,000 penalty for failing to comply with garden waste limits at its Bringelly composting facility.
EPA NSW officers inspected the site in February and found large stockpiles of garden waste. Later that month, an independent surveyor confirmed that the quantity of waste stored by W2R, the Environment Protection Licence holder at the time, was seven times over its volume limits.
Commenting on the case, EPA NSW Senior Manager Waste Compliance, Chris McElwain, said that storing and processing garden waste in large volumes can generate odour which may impact the local community.
“Environment protection licences have conditions designed to prevent any impacts from pollution,” Mr McElwain said. “In particular, licenced premises must comply with their licence conditions to protect local amenity and prevent the degradation of the environment.
Since the inspection, W2R has tackled the garden waste stockpiles and improved processing equipment and procedures at the site, which the EPA took into consideration when issuing the fine.