The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued a warning to landholders doing burn-offs in the cooler weather to take care tossing waste into the flames as it can be costly for both farmers and the environment.
South West Regional Manager at EPA, Carolyn Francis said many waste items turned toxic the moment they went into fire.
“Farm waste items like silage wrap, chemical containers and old tyres don’t burn properly,” Ms Francis said.
“But it will produce toxic smoke, and can send residue into waterways and create chemical contamination that persists in the soil,” she said.
“Send it to landfill or a recycling facility.”
Ms Francis said the EPA could fine offenders more than $8,000 for burning anything other than vegetation-sourced matter like timber and crop stubble.
She said silage wrap, some chemical containers and tyres could be recycled into building and fencing materials and floor matting.
“Fallen trees or other natural wood being burnt should be as dry as possible to keep down the volume of smoke, and farmers should make sure they have any relevant council or CFA permits,” she said.
“Timber from buildings, furniture or other manufactured products must not be burnt because it has probably been chemically treated.”
Ms Francis said that most farmers understood the importance to their livelihood and their community of preventing contamination to the soil, water and air around them.
She said EPA used the fines as a last resort.
