Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) investigation of soft plastics storage has uncovered another warehouse of stockpiled material, as part of the suspended REDcycle program.
The discovery brings the total number of warehouses to ten with sites identified in West Footscray, Truganina, Williamstown North, Campbellfield, Tullamarine, Dandenong South, West Wodonga, two in Tottenham and a new one in Craigieburn.
EPA officers have continued to monitor all sites to ensure compliance with environmental requirements, including five sites that have notices to reduce fire risk.
“The priority is to protect the community and the environment,” said EPA Chief Executive Office Lee Miezis.
“Sites storing material such as soft plastics can pose a fire risk and businesses must make sure they prevent and manage this risk using controls such as built-in fire suppression systems, storage size limits and minimum separation distances between stockpiles.”
The investigation has uncovered about 3000 tonnes of stored waste soft plastics across the ten sites identified to date. EPA is providing guidance and clear regulatory requirements to the businesses involved to ensure they improve their practices and comply with the law.
“Although the operators of REDcycle did tell us about some of the sites, intelligence from logistics companies and others is assisting EPA’s investigations,” EPA said at the time.
While this latest site was found through EPA’s information gathering powers, EPA is asking all businesses and community members with any information on soft plastics stockpiles to call the hotline on 1300 372 842.
For more information go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/incidents/soft-plastics-storage