EPA Victoria is targeting tyres dumped on public streets, parks and farmland which pose major environmental and human health risks as dumpers choose to shift the cost of disposal onto the community rather than pay it themselves.
On Wednesday 2 April, a team of EPA West Metro Authorised Officers carried out a series of snap inspections on vehicle wreckers, mechanics and tyre retailers in the Sunshine, Braybrook and Hoppers Crossing area.
"These are businesses that 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 to receive them," said EPA West Metropolitan Regional Manager Jeremy 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 they can't show us Waste Tracker has been used either by themselves or their contractor, they are non-compliant and face potential penalties."
"On the day, 19 businesses were inspected and over 57 pieces of formal compliance advice was given covering 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," said Jeremy.
"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."
"If you see illegal dumping of tyres, call EPA on 1300 372 842 and https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution ."
