EPA Victoria is taking on another McDonalds restaurant caught dumping its waste cooking oils to a drain instead of storing it for collection and disposal.
Last year EPA wrote to the three major fast food chains reminding them that in Victoria they are legally responsible to protect the environment from potential harm from their business operations.
“Instead of heeding that advice, we have had to fine the operators of the McDonalds on the corner of Bell St and Sussex St in Pascoe Vale South after we found evidence its waste oils were being allowed to escape from storage containers to the stormwater drains,” said EPA North Metro Regional Manager Chloe Bernett.
“They’ll be getting a fine of nearly $4,000 and will have to show us they have improved what is currently their poor waste oil management processes. The only thing that should go down a stormwater drain is rain.”
The latest action follows three cases last year with a McDonalds, a Hungry Jacks and a KFC all on the receiving end of an EPA fine for similar offences including their failure to pick up their waste packaging.
“These are major franchises, household names. We wrote to their head offices to tell they have to clean up their act. Cooking oils can cause major damage to our waterways and marine life. If it’s being discharged from a business, it is a reportable priority waste that must, by law, be properly controlled and disposed of,” said Chloe.
“They are required to comply with their environmental obligations, but where they aren't, we will continue to scrutinise their activities and more fines will be issued unless they live up to the community’s, and the law’s, expectations of them.”
If you suspect a local restaurant, café or fast food outlet like a McDonalds, Hungry Jacks or KFC is not living up to their environmental obligations, you can report them to EPA on 1300 372 842 and www.epa.vic.gov.au
You can also complain directly to the major chains if you’re not happy with an outlets’ waste disposal, including packaging litter.
https://mcdonalds.com.au/help-centre
Reviewed 20 January 2025
