By Laura Michell
Recycling collections from Hume and Whittlesea continue to be sent to landfill, with SKM Recycling’s Coolaroo plant remaining closed.
The Environment Protection Authority has lifted its ban on SKM Recycling accepting waste at its Laverton North site, following an inspection of the plant earlier today.
But the Coolaroo site remains “non-complaint” and will not be able to accept recycling waste until compliance has been confirmed.
About 15 councils, including Hume and Whittlesea, use the Coolaroo site.
The EPA banned SKM from accepting waste at both sites on February 15, amid concerns stockpiles of waste at the plants were a fire hazard.
EPA chief executive Cathy Wilkinson said the ban was implemented to protect the community.
“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,” she said.
The reopening of the Laverton North site follows the EPA’s decision last week to charge SKM and its director over the fire.
Dr Wilkinson said the company and its director have been charged with relevant offences under the Environment Protection Act.
“The fire … resulted in a significant pollution event which Environment Protection Authority Victoria alleges had the potential to be harmful to human and the environment,” she said.
She declined to comment further as the matter is now before the courts.
