A McDonald store was fined by Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Melbourne nearly $4000 for improperly managing waste cooking oils. The store, located at the corner of Bell Street and Sussex Street in Pascoe Vale South, was found dumping waste oils into stormwater drains instead of following proper disposal protocols.
EPA’s Warning Ignored
North Metro EPA regional manager Chloe Bernett emphasized the fact that EPA had issued notices to leading fast-food giants, such as McDonald’s earlier, in this respect. Nonetheless, the Pascoe Vale South outlet, which operated from the site in question, left waste oils spilling from their storage and reaching the stormwater systems.
“They’ll be getting a fine of nearly $4000 and must demonstrate improved waste oil management practices,” Bernett stated. “The only thing that should go down a stormwater drain is rain.”
Repeat Violations by McDonald
This is not the first time fast-food outlets have faced penalties for environmental violations. Last year, a McDonald’s outlet in Kingsbury and a Hungry Jack’s store received fines of $3846 each for similar offenses. A KFC outlet faced an even steeper penalty, exceeding $7000.
A McDonald Australia spokesperson previously described such incidents as isolated, stating, “Every McDonald’s restaurant is required to use the systems in place to dispose of waste oil correctly.”
Ongoing EPA Scrutiny
The EPA has vowed to increase its surveillance of fast food chains to keep them in check with environmental laws. “We will continue to scrutinize their activities, and more fines will follow if they fail to meet community and legal expectations,” Bernett affirmed.
This incident proves that corporate accountability is a necessity for the protection of the environment.
