EPA Victoria’s focus on waste tyres has resulted in a northern suburbs recycler facing 12 charges relating to inappropriately accepting waste materials without an EPA permit.

MC Tyre Recycle which operates waste tyre recycling facilities in Campbellfield and Truganina allegedly stored more than 5000 tyres (equivalent passenger tyre units or EPUs) without the required operating licence.

EPA has laid a total of 12 charges on Michael Andrews and Comfort Umu Kargbo, the company operators.

Additionally, Andrews and Kargbo were both charged with failing to comply with an Environmental Action Notice (EAN) that required them to obtain an EPA operating licence for the prescribed activity and to lawfully dispose of waste tyres at the premises. 

“Waste tyres pose a major environmental risk and must be stored and managed according to the regulations,” EPA Chief Investigator Rhonda Murray said.

“Tyre recycling is a prescribed operating activity under the EP Act 2017 and an EPA registration is required to store more than 40 tonnes or more than 5,000 EPU.

“We are actively enforcing regulations whenever we find instances of breaches particularly with waste tyres, and will continue to do so.

“We are also reminding the industry that waste tyres are classified as reportable priority waste (RPW) under the Environment Protection Act 2017. Further information is available on the EPA website.”

 

If you are concerned about the storage and transport of waste tyres, or have information to share, please call EPA on 1300 372 842, or report your concerns online at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution—you can choose to remain anonymous.

“Everyone has a duty to protect the environment and EPA intends to enforce the regulations on behalf of the Victorian community.”

The matter is scheduled to be heard in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 8 January 2024. As the matter is before the courts further comment is not available.

Reviewed 18 December 2023