The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has prohibited a recycler in Brooklyn from accepting more plastics, after finding the warehouse full of badly managed waste, obstructed firefighting equipment, discarded cigarette butts and exposed electrical equipment.
The prohibition notice bans Victorian Recyclers from accepting plastics at its factory on Clelland Road until it reconfigures and reduces its waste stockpiles to meet EPA’s guidelines.
An EPA inspection on 18 October, 2025 identified an immediate risk of harm due to the significant fire load and the presence of multiple potential ignition sources.
The inspecting officers found cigarette butts among shredded plastic and around machinery, empty gas cylinders against the front wall, fire response equipment blocked by waste and machinery, plastic shredding machines littered with plastic waste with motors and wiring exposed, and waste stacked along southern and western walls including cardboard, plastic, metal, e-waste, mixed waste containers.
EPA western metropolitan acting regional manager Carly McGregor said the inspection report showed an imminent risk of a fire that could burn for a substantial period and be difficult for fire services to control.
“EPA’s guidelines require all reasonable steps to be taken, starting with limits on stockpile size and sufficient space between stockpiles to allow firefighters to contain any fire without the whole premises becoming involved,” Ms McGregor said.
“The guidelines are easy to find, they can be downloaded from EPA’s website, there’s no excuse for not doing your best.”
The EPA said the company must reconfigure its waste stockpiles, dispose of waste, clear space around firefighting equipment and the shredding machines, and get an electrician in to make sure the equipment is properly installed.
The company must report back to the EPA on its compliance by 26 January with additional notices being issued and officers conducting follow up inspections to assess compliance.
