Sale man fined by EPA for burning industrial waste

A SALE man will pay nearly $2000 after the Environment Protection Authority fined him for burning industrial waste on the outskirts of town.

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

The EPA fined the man $1976 for contravening Section 115(4) of the Environment Protection Act 2017 by unlawfully depositing more than 1000 litres of waste, by burning.

EPA regional manager Jessica Bandiera said there was no way burning waste in the open like this was 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.”