The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has carried out an unannounced compliance campaign across Sydney to address plastic feedstock loss, working alongside City of Canterbury Bankstown, Inner West Council and Ryde Council in October 2025.
The initiative, known as Operation Pellet Patrol, involved inspections at 10 industrial sites. According to the EPA, several businesses were found incorrectly storing plastic materials, creating risks of plastic leakage and potential microplastic pollution in local drains.
Four sites were issued verbal clean-up directions, NSW EPA said in a news release.
Sam Lewis, NSW EPA Director of Circular Economy Programs, said the findings underscored the need for stronger management of plastic materials to avoid environmental harm.
“If your business is dealing with plastics, our message is clear – you must contain all plastic materials and protect waterways and the environment,” Lewis said.
He added that penalties remain significant for non-compliance. “Businesses found to be doing the wrong thing can cop on-the-spot fines of up to $30,000 and up to $2 million if imposed by a court,” he said.
“While most operators demonstrated excellent practices, we are putting facilities with a history of poor performance on notice.”
Lewis also highlighted the role of local councils in regulating plastic-handling facilities and said the EPA plans to conduct further inspections in 2026.
Operation Pellet Patrol builds on the earlier success of Operation Clean Sweep, a voluntary global initiative aimed at preventing plastic pellet loss.
The EPA said 35 plastics businesses in NSW have now signed a pledge to reduce plastic feedstock loss and have received a visual assessment tool to support their efforts.
More information is available on the EPA’s website.
