Caught in a trap

By Lia Bichel
Mr Duran said Melbourne South East Water Waste Department’s demands were ‘ridiculous’ and could cost him his business, which was only open four months and was already hanging by a thread.
“My daily intake is about $200, and they want me to get a 600-litre old trap, which is expensive,” he said.
The cost for the trap is approximately $1200, plus installation.
The request was not only pricey, but also unnecessary, Mr Duran said.
“They said I couldn’t wash dishes unless I had the oil trap, so now I only use throw-away containers,” he said.
“I only cook for myself and I don’t throw away the oil. Why would I chuck good oil into the sink? If there was leftover oil I would take it home and cook my steak in it and it would be delicious.”
Mr Duran said he had limited washing at the shop because he only had six utensils – two tongs, two spoons, a knife and a personal coffee mug.
He purchased a 10-litre container of water for washing and mopping.
Melbourne South East Water Waste Department Commercial Waste Specialist Steven Ticknas said Unique Pasta and Deli was not being targeted and every business must comply with waste requirements.
“All food businesses need to have a waste trade consent, and one of the conditions is they need to have a treatment apparatus so we can reduce grease and fats from entering the system,” Mr Ticknas said.
“We are asking him to get a food and oil interceptor, which is not uncommon for a delicatessen or any other food business. We also offered Ali 12 months to install an interceptor, which gives him enough time to budget.”
Mr Ticknas also said Mr Duran asked what he could do to avoid buying a food and oil interceptor and discussed the option of changing Mr Duran’s business licence.
But Mr Duran disagreed, saying that he felt like he and his business were being attacked. “I can’t sleep. This is going overboard. I have been targeted and I don’t know why. I don’t know why they are after me,” he said.
“I am a fresh pasta shop. If I have pre-packaged food people can get that from the grocery store. If I change my licence it will be the end of my business.”