$30,000 fine issued for unsafe storage of lead waste
A used battery processing company has been fined $30,000 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for storing toxic lead waste outside approved areas at its Mount Druitt facility.
EPA officers carried out unannounced inspections in November and December 2024 after receiving a complaint about the transport of dangerous goods.
They found Spilth to Wealth Pty Ltd, trading as S2W Recyclers, had stored approximately 140 tonnes of concentrated waste – more than double the 55-tonne limit allowed under its environment protection licence. A large proportion of this waste was also kept outside required bunded areas.
The hazardous waste included pallets, bulka bags and shipping containers containing used lead-acid batteries, lead paste, and shredded plastic. Sampling from a nearby on-site stormwater drain, which collects runoff from these areas, confirmed water pollution with extremely high concentrations of lead, nickel, and zinc.
EPA Executive Director of Operations Jason Gordon Steve Beaman said the company’s careless storage of lead waste put the environment and community at serious risk.
“Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can do lasting damage to people, animals, and ecosystems if it gets into soil or waterways,” Mr Gordon said.
“In this case, the company left waste exposed to the weather, and contaminated runoff entered the site’s stormwater drains. Testing showed lead levels nearly 2,000 times above the national guideline for protecting aquatic life.
“Handling lead-acid batteries correctly isn’t optional – it’s critical. Get it wrong, and you risk toxic pollution, dangerous fires and long-term environmental harm. These are basic safety obligations, and this company has repeatedly failed to meet them.”
Mr Gordon added the EPA would continue to take decisive action against repeat offenders.
“Storing toxic waste outdoors – uncontained and exposed – is reckless,” he said.
“This is not the first time Spilth has failed to comply with the law. The company has been warned and fined eight times since 2021, and we will continue to hold it to account.”
In August 2023, the EPA issued the company a $15,000 penalty notice and an official caution for unlawfully using a neighbouring property to store lead waste. In December 2022, it received another $15,000 fine for the same offence.
The EPA has directed the company to immediately reduce waste volumes, store all material safely, and demonstrate full compliance with its licence.
The public can report suspected pollution incidents to the EPA’s 24/7 Environment Line at [email protected]