A Horsham firm collecting waste tyres from businesses as far away as Inglewood, Charlton and St Arnaud has been slapped with nearly $20,000 in fines from EPA Victoria.
The two fines of $9,880 each are for failing to account for truckloads of waste tyres on EPA's online Waste Tracker system.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says the offence is not just a failure of paperwork.
"In Victoria, waste tyres are classified as a 'Reportable Priority Waste' and must be tracked by the EPA Waste Tracker online system when transported from one site to another," Mr Ratajczyk said.
"Waste Tracker traces waste through every step from the place that created it, to the transport business, to the end user or disposal facility. If there's a gap in the trail, EPA will know where," he said.
"The system is designed to prevent waste from just vanishing into thin air. EPA will know exactly who had it last," Mr Ratajczyk said.
Waste tyres can damage the environment if they are illegally dumped or burnt. Degrading tyres can contaminate the soil or become havens for weeds and pests. Tyre fires generate toxic smoke and are difficult to extinguish.
EPA issued Horsham company Affordable Scrap Tyre Solutions Pty Ltd with the two fines for failing to record loads in October 2024.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
Businesses can find information on Waste Tracker on the EPA website epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/waste/transporting-waste/waste-tracker/
