Recycal Pty Ltd (Recycal), a scrap metal processor in the North of the State, has been given approval by the EPA to resume shredding and processing activities from 10 June 2026.
Recycal has been under an Environment Protection Notice since February 2024, with the EPA requiring the company to stop shredding and processing shredder waste (floc), and to either remove or cover the piles of this material.
A Human Health Risk Assessment was conducted by the EPA and Public Health Services (PHS) in the Department of Health that same year. Results from this Risk Assessment found that while there were higher levels of lead and other metals in soil and surface samples around the area, there was no evidence that these levels caused harm to the community.
Since 2024, the EPA, in consultation with PHS, has worked with Recycal to set limits for air quality. These include:
Implementing the German TA Luft Guidelines for metal dust deposition, at or beyond the site boundary; and
Following the Australian Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure standard for lead in air.
With these controls and ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements in place, the EPA has given Recycal approval to resume shredding and related processing from 10 June 2026.
The EPA has identified that this work is necessary to reduce the large scrap metal piles at the site, which currently present a substantial fire risk.
The EPA will closely monitor Recycal's compliance with the set controls. The Director, EPA has powers to immediately shut down processing activities, should the site exceed any of the set air monitoring limits.
Background
For further information on the Rocherlea Industrial Area lead exposure event, visit: Rocherlea Industrial Area lead exposure event - Frequently Asked Questions | EPA Tasmania
For human health information related to this incident, please visit: Rocherlea Industrial Area lead exposure event - Frequently Asked Questions | Tasmanian Department of Health
A summary report of the investigation is available at: Rocherlea Human Health Risk Assessment Summary Report | Tasmanian Department of Health
Published on:
11/06/2026