Environment Minister Robyn Parker will today host tyre industry representatives at a summit and announce a plan to lower the threshold for the storage of waste tyres.
Ms Parker said the NSW Government will propose a regulation change to decrease from 5000 to 500 the amount of passenger tyres allowed to be stored for recycling, in order to prevent the illegal storage and disposal of waste tyres.
“Stockpiled waste tyres pose a fire risk, and tyre fires emit toxic fumes harmful to our health and the environment,” Ms Parker said.
“The lowering of the threshold for the legal storage of waste tyres will send a clear message to operators involved in the storage and disposal of waste tyres that they must understand their responsibilities to manage their sites lawfully.
“Businesses that process and store waste tyres without approval from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or local councils will risk hefty fines and prosecution.
“The EPA is conducting a blitz on tyre retailers in the Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter and will inspect at least 250 tyre retailers by the end of the year to ensure that the retailers are disposing of waste tyres lawfully.
“From 1 October, anybody caught illegally dumping in NSW is subject to tough new penalties that include jail time for repeat offenders, increased fines and potential loss of vehicles used in illegal dumping activity.
“This includes up to two years in jail for repeat illegal dumpers who commit a waste offence within five years of a prior waste conviction.
“The proposed changes to the threshold will be part of the waste regulation review in early 2014 and will be open for public consultation.
The NSW Government has committed $465.7 million over five years to boost recycling, combat illegal dumping and reduce litter with $58 million committed to the community focussed Illegal Dumping program.
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