Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) investigation of soft plastics storage has uncovered another warehouse stockpiling materials.

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 the 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. 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,” EPA CEO Lee Miezis.

The investigation has uncovered approximately 3,000 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. 

While this latest site was found through EPA’s stronger information gathering powers, EPA is asking all businesses and community members with any information on soft plastics stockpiles to call the EPA hotline on 1300 372 842. For more information go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/incidents/soft-plastics-storage