An inspection of SKM Services PTY Ltd by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) officers on Tuesday 12 March 2019, has determined the company has met the conditions of the notice served on them and is now able to resume accepting recyclable waste materials at its Laverton North site.
The Coolaroo site remains non-compliant and will not be able to accept recycling waste until compliance has been confirmed by the EPA.
On 15 February 2019 EPA alleged SKM was not in compliance with the Victorian Waste Management Policy (Combustible Recyclable and Waste Materials) and issued them with a remedial notice which required them to cease accepting recyclable waste materials at their Laverton North and Coolaroo sites.
EPA CEO Dr Cathy Wilkinson said that in the event of a fire at either site, large amounts of plastic materials could likely generate significant community impacts from smoke and that the recycling industry had had ample time to become compliant with the Policy.
SKM requested the inspection following improvements at their Laverton North site's outdoor storage which has seen a reduction in stockpiled waste and increased separation distances as required by the Policy.
"The closure of the SKM sites was a decision taken to protect the community from the risk of a major fire. EPA will not allow a repeat of the 2017 Coolaroo fire," said Dr Wilkinson.
"SKM has demonstrated that it has met the conditions outlined in our notices and is again compliant. However, EPA will continue to inspect the Laverton site to ensure it remains compliant with the outdoor storage requirements.
"The community expectation is that SKM will now maintain compliance and be able to provide a valuable service to Victorians. The message should be clear, EPA is vigilant. Safety and security cannot allowed to be compromised."
EPA said last week (8 March 2019) that it would pursue SKM and an SKM director for breaches of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
