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In a letter dated October 19, council’s waste minimisation officer Belinda Wagner said businesses caught dumping tyre waste at shire tips would be held accountable.

“If loads continue to have tyres found in them, it is our intention that the company will be charged for the cost of sorting and the gate charge,” she said.

According to Ms Wagner, the amount of tyre waste accepted into waste facilities for recycling is limited and does not include commercial rubbish.

“It has come to our attention that numerous tyres are entering the sites in mixed commercial waste loads, skip trucks and in self-haul loads,” Ms Wagner said.

“This is unacceptable because staff have to extract them from putrescibles (“wet” garbage) waste, as they are problematic to landfill, contain hazardous compounds and are recyclable.”

However earlier this week Cleanwell depot manager Ean Newell questioned whether council had given thought to the implications.

“I think that for the shire in the long-term ... to reduce waste in the Eurobodalla is very good and they should be commended for it,” he said, “however, local businesses are concerned.

“For tyre people it increases costs considerably. In turn, they will have to pass this on to the consumer.”

Mr Newell said his business took between nine and 12 cubic metres of flat pack tyres to the tip each week.

“With nowhere to dump, businesses will have to transport (tyre waste) to Sydney,” he said, “but some irresponsible people will simply dump them in the bush.”

Pointing at the sector of the community who live just on or below the bread line, Mr Newell said a solution had to be found. He called on council for a cost-effective, alternative solution.

“It’s the people in this town who will have to pay in the long run,” he said.

Tyre Torque owner Dave Craddy confirmed Mr Newell’s fears.