Up to 100 sea containers of recycled products may have to be dumped in landfill over the next two weeks after a fire destroyed Western Australia's largest recycling facility, in Canning Vale, early today.
The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council, which operates the plant, said it is making urgent arrangements to cope with an anticipated overflow of rubbish from Perth's southern suburbs in the wake of the fire.
Chief Executive Stuart McAll said plans were already underway to re-open a recently decommissioned materials recovery facility (MRF) which he hoped would be operating within two weeks. Requests had also been made to send some material to other metropolitan facilities, if possible.
"Unfortunately there simply isn't enough capacity in Perth to cope with the amount of recyclables we process from the 150,000 homes in our region," he said.
"In the next two weeks we may be forced to send up to 2000 tonnes, or 100 sea containers, of valuable recycled products to landfill.
"It is a devastating blow which highlights the critical shortage of waste disposal services available in Perth."
Fire brigade investigators are currently at the facility in Canning Vale trying to determine the cause of the blaze which destroyed the recycling facility - one of three separate plants on the RRRC site. The waste composting and green waste processing plants were not damaged.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) said it was called to the fire at the recycling centre, run by the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council, just after 1am today.
Earthmoving equipment was used to break down a roller door to a large shed housing recyclable material to bring the fire under control after 6am (WST), FESA spokesman Allen Gale said.
FESA said it would remain at the fire scene for the rest of the day.
The Department of Environment and Conservation's (DEC) pollution response unit is monitoring the air but has not found any substances at levels harmful to human health.
"DEC will continue to monitor the air," FESA said in a statement.
"People in the smoke-affected area may find the odour from the smoke irritating and should close all doors and windows, turn off air conditioners and stay inside."
A leisure centre in Riverton has been opened for people seeking relief from the smoke.
