A Sale man will pay nearly $2,000 after EPA Victoria fined him for burning industrial waste on the outskirts of the town.

Several local people were quickly on the phone to EPA and the CFA, reporting smoke from a business in Johns St, burning plastic, rubbish, wood and other waste, on Monday, 13 September 2024.

EPA has fined the man $1,976 for contravening Section 115(4) of the Environment Protection Act 2017 by unlawfully depositing more than 1,000 litres of waste, by burning.

EPA Gippsland Regional Manager Jessica Bandiera says there is no way that burning waste in the open like this is legal.

“Plastics, treated wood, tyres; all of those give off toxic chemicals when they burn. They can cause toxic smoke, leave residue that can foul the soil and nearby waterways, and impact human health,” Ms Bandiera said.

“They are all materials that should go to recycling or disposal at a properly licensed facility,” she said.

“Burning waste in the open is breaking the law, anyone with a phone can report it, and EPA won’t hesitate to take action, which often means a fine and a regulatory notice requiring you to clean it up appropriately.”

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