EPA Victoria’s investigation of soft plastics storage continues into the new year, with officers monitoring sites during the festive period to ensure compliance with notices to reduce fire risk.

Inspections at key locations continued during the end of December 2022 and start of January 2023.

EPA continues to visit and inspect sites with officers out there today and reporting that action is underway at various sites to meet their requirements to reduce fire risk and other measures.

EPA CEO Lee Miezis said the focus remains on ensuring any risk to community is managed in a prompt and effective way. 

"Our first priority at these sites, and any other sites storing material such as soft plastics, is to protect the community and the environment from the risk of fire,” Mr Miezis said.

“This includes measures such as built-in fire suppression systems, storage size limits and minimum separation distances.”

By late December EPA had found waste soft plastics storage sites in West Footscray, Truganina, Williamstown North, Campbellfield, Tullamarine, Dandenong South, West Wodonga and two in Tottenham.

The investigation has uncovered approximately 3000 tonnes of waste soft plastics across the sites. Some sites have improved their practices under guidance from EPA and are compliant with EPA requirements. Others continue to make progress and are monitored with regular EPA inspections.

EPA asks all warehouse companies with stores of soft plastics in their control to call the EPA hotline on 1300 372 842. EPA also encourages members of the community to call in with details about soft plastics storage in their area.