Managing Hazardous Materials in MRFs Industry Forum

Re.Group is pleased to invite you to attend our Managing Hazardous Materials at MRFs Industry Forum to be held at our Hallam Container and Plastics Sorting Facility, 87-93, Wedgewood Road, Hallam Victoria.

The forum addresses the critical and escalating challenge of hazardous contamination in commingled recycling, particularly batteries (lithium and non-lithium), gas cylinders, small electrical goods, and other hazardous items.

This forum will deliver high-impact industry education combining regulatory compliance, operational risk management, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection.

The forum plans to achieve the following learning and compliance objectives:

Environmental Protection

• Understand environmental impacts of hazardous contamination in recycling streams
• Identify pathways for contamination prevention
• Recognise environmental harm from combustion events and toxic gas release

Operational Safety

• Implement practical fire prevention and risk mitigation strategies
• Apply best-practice MRF safety protocols
• Strengthen emergency response preparedness

Regulatory Compliance

• Meet EPA licensing requirements and obligations
• Understand enforcement expectations
• Align with national and state waste management frameworks

Industry Collaboration

• Share lessons learned from fire incidents
• Build peer networks for knowledge exchange
• Establish ongoing communication channels

Behaviour Change

• Influence upstream contamination prevention
• Promote hazardous waste diversion
• Strengthen product stewardship advocacy

Format: In-person event with hybrid capability (Microsoft Teams for remote participants)
Duration: 1/2-day forum (9.00 AM – 1.30 PM)
Delivery Style:

• Balance of expert presentations and interactive sessions
• Case study analysis and lessons learned
• Panel discussion with industry practitioners
• Q&A and open forum discussions
• Optional site tour

Agenda

• Welcome and Introduction - Philip Micallef, Re.Group Southern Region Manager
• The Battery Fire Crisis: National Data & Trends - Suzanne Toumbourou, ACOR CEO
• Fire Safety & Emergency Response in MRFs – Commander Mac Hanson, Fire Rescue Victoria
• Case Studies: Lessons Learned from MRF Fire Incidents - Fire Rover experience: Jim Michalopoulos, Re.Group Plant Manager
• Operational Controls & MRF Safety Systems : Kylie Andrew-Komar, Re.Group National HSE Manager

Interactive Roundtable: Solutions & Innovations - Topics for discussion:

• Emerging detection technologies
• Upstream contamination prevention strategies
• Industry collaboration opportunities
• Advocacy for regulatory reform
• Insurance and risk management

RSVP: 5.00 PM Friday 9 October 2026

Places are limited for IN PERSON attendees. 

If you wish to attend ONLINE please email gayle.seddon@re-group.com