A discovery inside a shipping container has led to an Australian recycling company being slapped with a fine of close to $20,000. A large haul of e-waste had been sent offshore by Melbourne-based Weeebytes, but authorities in Singapore intercepted it before it could reach its final destination.
In Australia, a permit is required to export old electrical items because many contain toxic substances like flame retardants, mercury and lead, which can pollute the environment.
A department of environment (DCCEEW) spokesperson said, “If disposed of improperly, these substances can enter drinking water and soil, leading to serious human health concerns.”
Other problems can include groundwater contamination, odour and dust, explosions, and disruption to ecosystems.
Yahoo News does not allege that the disposal of components exported by Weeebytes would have contributed to these environmental issues, or that it intentionally breached Australia’s laws.
Authorities allege waste was ‘hidden’
The shipment, discovered on March 24, contained computer products, including crushed hard drives, as well as old components from the renewable energy sector, such as solar inverters and lithium-ion batteries.
DCCEEW said the waste was “hidden behind other goods”, which had not been properly declared under the Hazardous Waste Act.
“Weeebytes illegally exported approximately 24 tonnes of e-waste destined for Singapore by not properly declaring the items to the Australian Border Force,” a spokesperson told Yahoo News.
“The goods in the container were declared as unregulated ‘scrap metal’”.
Pictures supplied to Yahoo News show several large bags filled with consumer goods at a warehouse following the interception.
Authorities ordered Weeebytes to return the container to Australia, arrange for its disposal, and pay a fine of $19,800.
Weeebytes declined to comment when Yahoo News contacted the business.
The e-waste was discovered inside a shipping container. Source: DCCEEW
Australia cracking down on illegal e-waste exports
DCCEEW said it is working to “crack down” on the illegal export of e-waste, and working alongside Border Force, the agriculture department and state environment agencies to identify “suspicious consignments”.
“The department is strengthening its monitoring and detection capabilities to disrupt and respond to the illegal export of regulated waste,” it said.
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