An interstate waste tyre operation that unlawfully collected thousands of tyres from Tasmanian businesses while falsely claiming to be EPA-approved has been disrupted, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says.
An EPA investigation identified at least 30 unlawful tyre collections involving about 20 Tasmanian mechanical businesses.
The operators were estimated to have made about $50,000 in just 10 days.
In June, investigators found six shipping containers filled with waste tyres, 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 began in mid-2025 after the EPA received intelligence that an unlicensed company was approaching tyre dealerships and mechanical workshops.
The company was falsely claiming to be approved by the EPA and Tyre Stewardship Australia.
Investigators uncovered a network using rented vehicles, short-term shipping container leases and false credentials to pose as registered controlled waste transporters.
EPA chief executive Catherine Murdoch said it was the authority’s “largest proactive industry-targeting exercise in response to organised environmental crime to date”.
“Waste crime can have significant financial and environmental consequences for local businesses and the wider community,” she said.
Investigators visited about 50 tyre and mechanical workshops across the state to check waste collection arrangements and gather intelligence.
“This investigation shows how important it is to identify suspicious activity early and take action before it becomes more established,” Murdoch said.
The EPA took enforcement action against at least one local operator and issued warning notices to tyre retailers who should reasonably have recognised and acted on the suspicious activity.
It also executed a bank warrant during the investigation.
The EPA said evidence gathered included alleged breaches of waste management regulations and potential fraud offences.
Murdoch said intelligence gathered was now helping other jurisdictions tackle the activity.
Businesses approached by suspicious waste tyre collectors are urged to contact the EPA.
Illegal dumping can be reported to the EPA on 1800 005 171.
