Improper storage of waste tyres leads to $225,000 in fines

A routine inspection by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in 2022 revealed the company was storing many more waste tyres than its licence allowed. Tyres were also stacked too high and in potentially hazardous locations.

EPA Executive Director Operations, Jason Gordon said there are strict conditions for the safe storage of tyres to protect the community and the environment.

“If waste tyres are stacked too high or incorrectly and catch fire, they can quickly create large clouds of smoke which would be toxic for the health of neighbours and nearby residents,” Mr Gordon said.

“Residents and the M5 are just a few hundred metres away from the site and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital and Bankstown Airport are nearby as well.

“The company was storing around 320 tonnes of tyres, twice the number of tyres allowed on premises and the equivalent of approximately 35,000 standard car tyres.

“Tyre fires are extremely difficult to extinguish. Burning tyres create a very hot fire that produce a thick dark smoke, which could obstruct planes and be difficult to manage for firefighters.

“Tyres on the premises were also stored in locations not allowed under its licence which could create potential obstructions in emergency situations.”

Compliance at the premises has improved since these charges were filed but the EPA is continuing to monitor activities at the site to ensure that appropriate standards of operation and site management are in place.

In addition to the fine, BSV Tyre Recycling Australia was ordered to pay the EPA’s legal costs of $45,000 and publish notices summarising its offending in The Daily Telegraph and Inside Waste Magazine.

Earlier this year, Mr Virendra Nath, who was a Director of BSV when the offences took place, was prosecuted by the EPA for four offences relating to the same conduct. He was fined $65,000 for the offences, ordered to pay the EPA’s legal costs, and ordered to publish notices summarising his offending.