EPA Victoria has fined a major transport company, Toll Transport Pty Ltd, after its poorly loaded truck poured a blizzard of plastic pellets onto the streets of Keysborough.
Hundreds of litres of beads were strewn along streets including Greens Road, Perry Road and Pacific Drive when a bulk bag of plastic feedstock tipped over inside the truck and started spilling out the sides. The incident occurred in the early hours of 24 November, 2025.
"One caller who reported the incident said the pellets were so thick on the ground that it looked like snow," EPA South Metropolitan regional manager Viranga Abeywickrema said.
Plastic feedstock, sometimes known as nurdles, is made up of tiny pellets that are heated and used to produce plastic goods. The pellets are effectively microplastics and can easily enter the environment if not properly managed.
Mr Abeywickrema said that pollution could occur at any step in a production process, from creation of raw materials to manufacture to disposal of packaging. Transport was no exception.
"Pollution prevention is everybody's responsibility," he said. "Environmental regulations state that a load must be secured so that no part of it can leave the vehicle without human intervention.
"So the message to the many thousands of drivers on our roads every day is clear: nothing should come off your truck unless you mean it to. Load your vehicle properly, because if you spill waste onto our roads, the chances are someone will see you and report you."
EPA Victoria has fined Toll Transport Pty Ltd $4,070 for violating Environment Protection Regulations. Toll is entitled to have the fine reviewed.
Members of the public can report pollution and littering by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
Guidance on best practice for handling plastic is available at Plastic feedstock | epa.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
