Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria targeted illegal tyre dumping during snap investigations on vehicle wreckers, mechanics and tyre retailers.
On Wednesday 2 April, a team of EPA West Metro Authorised Officers carried out inspections in the Sunshine, Braybrook and Hoppers Crossing area.
Jeremy Settle, West Metropolitan Regional Manager of EPA Victoria said the businesses investigated often store waste tyres and hire contractors to dispose of them.
“For many, the deciding factor on who they use is the cost, but they also need to establish that when those tyres are taken, they’re going somewhere appropriate,” said Settle.
“Businesses need to be using the EPA Waste Tracker system that records movement of waste tyres as they’re generated, transported and disposed of.
“If businesses can’t show us that Waste Tracker has been used either by themselves or their contractor, they are non-compliant and face potential penalties.”
Over the course of the day, 19 businesses were inspected and more than 57 notices of formal compliance advice was given.
Settle said the advice covered a range of topics including how and why to use Waste Tracker, managing runoff to stormwater drains, stock separation, fire risk planning and other areas that needed addressing.
“We also had to issue four notices to businesses that required more than just good advice on what was needed to become compliant,” he said.
“Waste tyre dumping is a crime. We will prosecute where we can and force the dumper to pay for their mess because if we can’t find them, it’s the community that ends up paying.
“Waste Tracker is an important tool in managing this problem, so businesses must use it if they generate waste tyres.”
For more information, visit: www.epa.vic.gov.au/
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