Be careful what you burn, says EPA

May 15, 2025

Common farm waste cannot be disposed of by burning, says EPA Victoria.

As the weather cools and conditions for burn-offs improve, EPA Victoria is warning the agricultural sector not to mix their prunings and felled timber with other forms of waste.

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“We issued several reminders last year after receiving reports of farms, orchards and vineyards mixing their legitimate burn-off materials with waste like treated timbers, plastics and other common farm waste that should have gone to a licensed landfill or recycling facility,” EPA regional operations director Martha-Rose Loughnane said.

“Disposal of waste by burning is illegal. Common farm waste — like treated pine posts, agricultural plastics, hessian, concrete, metal, waste tyres and mattresses — must be disposed of lawfully and at a place that is licensed to accept it,” she said.

“If we find anyone mixing waste into their legitimate burn-off material, EPA can take action, and we can issue fines of more than $9000 for burning anything other than vegetation-sourced matter like timber and crop stubble.

“No smoke is good for you, but smoke from burning farm waste like old tyres and treated timber can lead to harmful effects on human health, particularly for people with asthma or other lung conditions, older people, pregnant women, babies and young children.”

For more information about managing farm waste and what can and cannot be burned, go to: epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/iwrg641-1