EPA Victoria has issued fines to companies in Scoresby and Dandenong South for breaking rules over industrial waste transport and acid waste disposal in the past week.
Scoresby-based Budget Liquid Waste Service Pty Ltd was hit with a penalty of over $1,500 for providing incorrect information on waste transport certification documents while collecting prescribed industrial waste (PIW) from multiple sites.
An EPA VIC investigation found the company had collected grease trap waste from a number of waste producers and then identified itself as the waste producer on documentation.
EPA VIC Southern Metropolitan Regional Manager Leigh Bryant explained: “As the company is not an accredited waste agent, it is only allowed to issue one certificate per waste producer. In this case, it has stopped at multiple sites to pick up waste before taking it to a facility licensed to receive it.
“Under EPA regulations, only accredited waste agents are permitted to be identified as the waste producers on transport certification documents. While the company has applied to become accredited, it is not yet accredited,” he added.
Waste transporters in Victoria must comply with the waste regulations and the requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Disposal of waste acid
In a separate case, the owner of a Dandenong South factory, operating under Entraprop Investments, received a fine of more than $7,500 for illegally dumping acid waste behind its premises.
The EPA VIC inspection came about as a result of a member of the public reporting that waste acid had been dumped at the rear of a factory that was in the process of being sold.
“Witnesses observed a container containing green liquid being drained onto land at the rear of the premises. A running fire hose was also observed in the area, likely being used to try and dilute the acid,” said Mr Bryant.
“In this case the company engaged two people to assist in cleaning up the premises and is now paying for their actions. This fine is also a warning to businesses that they are responsible for the action of the people that they engage to work on their behalf.”
The acid waste, which has since been removed, was generated from a previous business that operated at the premises as a solar water heater system manufacturer.
“Site owners should know what activities are occurring on their premises as clean-up could be at their expense. Owners have a responsibility for their property,” Mr Bryant added.