Dispose of tyres properly

Property owners are urged to properly dispose of old tyres to reduce the likelihood of a fire hazard or threat to the environment.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria says farmers conducting hazard reduction burns should also consider removing any stacks of old tyres on their land.

EPA Gippsland acting region manager Zachary Dornom said a pile of waste tyres was a fire hazard and a threat to the environment.

“You can stockpile up to 40 tonnes or 5000 standard passenger tyres without needing a permit from EPA, but there are common sense reasons for most property owners to get rid of old tyres,” Mr Dornom said. “A stack of waste tyres is a pile of chemicals waiting to burn; it doesn’t catch fire easily but if it is overrun by fire it will generate toxic smoke, and burning tyres can be very difficult to extinguish.”

Any abandoned stockpile of waste tyres is also an environmental hazard; providing a breeding ground for vermin while the tyres begin to decay and contaminate the soil and groundwater.

“Past practices of using old tyres to contain soil erosion or around newly planted trees are no longer accepted, and it’s illegal to burn or just dump them,” Mr Dornom said.

EPA urges landholders to inspect any tyre stockpile and decide to either manage it properly for the good of their farm and community or send the tyres for recycling or legal disposal in landfill.

EPA’s website has good advice on how tyres can be used on farm land or other private property, at epa.vic.gov.au/-/media/epa/files /publications/1652.pdf. Tyre stockpile regulations are also available online.

If you suspect someone is illegally stockpiling or dumping waste tyres, contact EPA’s 24hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842. Offenders can face a fine of more than $8000, or hundreds of thousands if the case goes to court.