Recycal Ringwood: EPA continuing investigations after explosive waste found at Heatherdale Rd factory

Locals fear that allegedly dangerous waste could cause a deadly explosion at a recycling plant, which is being investigated by the EPA.

Recycal's Ringwood plant has been ordered by the EPA to stop accepting combustible waste. Picture: Ian James/Google Maps.

A recycling plant in Melbourne’s east which has previously been the scene of a giant fire is under investigation for allegedly stockpiling potentially explosive waste.

Recycal, which is close to homes and factories on Heatherdale Rd, Ringwood, has been accused of stockpiling batteries and airbag detonators at its site, raising fears of a major explosion.

The Environmental Protection Authority is investigating whether Recycal has breached the Environmental Protection Act, and ordered it to stop accepting combustible waste materials.

A EPA spokesman said “mixed battery waste” was found at the site in recent inspections and its ban on combustibles was in place until Recycal satisfied compliance measures.

“EPA is taking a zero tolerance approach to fire risks and expects businesses to understand and manage their risks to prevent fires from occurring,” he said.

A major fire broke out at the site in December 2012 when it was operated by CMA Recycling and smoke wafted across a nearby section of EastLink.

Nearby business owner Anthony, who didn’t give his surname, also claimed there was an explosion at the plant earlier this year attended by firefighters.

“We don’t know what they have on site and have had no other issues with them,” he said.

“But if it was true they have explosive material there, it would definitely be a concern for us and other local businesses.

Heatherdale Community Action Group president Philip Daw claimed there had been issues at the site since 2003, and he and the group wanted the business to move to “a more appropriate location away from residential areas and essential infrastructure.”

“It’s a new incident but not a new problem,” Mr Daw said.

“The industrial area is not suitable for a recycling plant of the nature that’s operating there.”

A Recycal spokesman said there was nothing dangerous to be found at the site and no risk to residents.

He said the airbags and detonators were stripped from cars at the site, but none were retained.
“If a car body comes in, there will be airbags in there, which we then pass on to other shredding recyclers,” he said.

He said a stockpile of tin plate cans was authorities’ only concern, which the company was progressively removing in the next four weeks.

He said the company was licensed to receive scrap metal but did not say if it was licensed to receive waste.

“We’ve been here since 1990, and I’m sure if the council had an issue, they would have been down.”

“The authorities are comfortable with how we operate here at the Ringwood site … there’s no threat to any residents at all,” he said.

Maroondah mayor Kylie Spears said the council had offered to assist the EPA with its investigation but wouldn’t take any direct action.
“Council is of the view that the EPA is well-placed to assess and work with the business operator to mitigate and prevent environmental pollution risks that may be present at the site,” she said.

The council did not answer questions on Recycal’s licensing arrangements.