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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

Tasmania EPA lifts ban on recycler after lead dust concerns

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Tasmanian recycling facility, Recycal Pty Ltd, has had a processing ban lifted by the EPA after two years.
  • The ban was imposed due to elevated lead levels found in dust generated by the facility's metal shredder.
  • The EPA has approved the resumption of operations, citing implemented environmental controls and the need to reduce fire risks from large scrap metal piles.

Recycal Pty Ltd, a scrap metal recycler in northern Tasmania, can resume shredding and processing activities at its Rocherlea site near Launceston. The Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) lifted a processing ban that had been in place for over two years, following the detection of elevated lead levels.

Recycal has recommenced operations in accordance with EPA Tasmania's approval and has implemented the environmental controls, monitoring and reporting measures required by the regulator.

— Thomas SusenThe chief risk and compliance officer for EcoCycle Group welcomed the EPA's decision and confirmed compliance measures.

The ban was initially imposed in February 2024 when the EPA ordered the company to halt processing shredder waste and manage piles of material due to lead contamination found in dust. Investigations revealed that wind had distributed this contaminated dust hundreds of meters from the site, prompting health recommendations for nearby premises, including a school and commercial properties.

Results from this risk assessment found that while there were higher levels of lead and other metals in soil and surface samples around the area, there was no evidence that these levels caused harm to the community.

— EPA TasmaniaThe environmental regulator stated that investigations did not find evidence of community harm from lead levels.

While initial risk assessments found no evidence of harm to the community, the EPA worked with Recycal and Public Health Services to enhance air quality controls. Thomas Susen, chief risk and compliance officer for Recycal's parent company EcoCycle Group, welcomed the decision, stating that Recycal has implemented the required environmental controls, monitoring, and reporting measures. He emphasized the company's investment in stockpile reduction and improved systems to ensure safe operations and compliance.

With these controls and ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements in place, the EPA has given Recycal approval to resume shredding and related processing.

— EPA TasmaniaThe EPA explained the conditions under which Recycal was granted approval to resume operations.

The EPA has approved the resumption of shredding, deeming it necessary to reduce the large scrap metal piles that pose a significant fire risk. However, the regulator will closely monitor Recycal's compliance, retaining the power to shut down operations if air monitoring limits are exceeded. Susen affirmed Recycal's commitment to robust environmental controls and transparency.

The EPA has identified that this work is necessary to reduce the large scrap metal piles at the site, which currently present a substantial fire risk.

— EPA TasmaniaThe regulator highlighted the fire risk posed by scrap metal piles as a reason for allowing processing to resume.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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