The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Tasmania has disrupted an interstate waste tyre collection operation after uncovering a network that collected thousands of end-of-life tyres from local businesses using false credentials
An EPA investigation identified at least 30 unlawful collection events involving around 20 Tasmanian mechanical businesses. Operators are estimated to have made about $50,000 over just 10 days.
The investigation began in mid-2025 after the EPA received information that an unlicensed company was approaching tyre dealerships and mechanical workshops, falsely claiming to be approved by the EPA and Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA).
EPA investigators visited around 50 medium to large tyre and mechanical workshops across Tasmania to review their waste collection arrangements, explain their legal obligations and gather information about suspicious activity.
The investigation uncovered a network that allegedly used rented vehicles, short-term shipping container leases and false credentials to collect and store waste tyres while posing as legitimate registered controlled waste transporters. In June 2026, investigators located six tyre-filled containers: four in Bridgewater and two in Launceston. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 tyres had been collected and stored across the state.
The investigation also led to enforcement action against at least one local operator, while warning notices were issued to tyre retailers considered to have had reason to recognise and act on suspicious activity. Investigators also executed a bank warrant to obtain information relating to the alleged offences. Evidence gathered included suspected breaches of Tasmania’s Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Waste Management) Regulations 2020 and potential fraud offences.
Catherine Murdoch, CEO and Director of EPA, said: “Waste crime can have significant financial and environmental consequences for local businesses and the wider community. This investigation shows how important it is to identify suspicious activity early and take action before it becomes more established. Our investigators successfully disrupted the operation in Tasmania and gathered valuable intelligence that is now helping other jurisdictions tackle this activity.”
“We will continue working with tyre retailers, mechanical workshops, storage facilities and interstate environmental regulators to identify suspicious activity, prevent further waste crime, and improve environmental outcomes for Tasmania,” Murdoch added.
