CONTROLLED WASTE FACT SHEET 1

What is controlled waste?

Under the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004 (the Is my waste a controlled waste? Regulations): To determine if waste is a controlled waste, 2.(c) Controlled waste means any matter information about its composition, pH, that is— flashpoint and/or the process that generated (a) within the definition of waste in the the waste may be required. NEPM for the Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories;* For some waste, knowing how it was and generated is sufficient to establish whether it (b) listed in Schedule 1… is a controlled waste; for example, waste from a septic tank.

3.(4) Subject to subregulations (5) and (6), However, for certain waste, chemical analysis these regulations apply to a controlled waste is needed to determine the composition of the that is produced by or as the result of— waste and identify whether it is a controlled (a) an industrial or commercial activity; waste as listed in Schedule 1 of the (b) a medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, Regulations. pharmaceutical or other related activity; (c) activities carried out on or at a laboratory; If a waste has been determined to be a or controlled waste listed in Schedule 1 of the (d) an apparatus for the treatment of Regulations, then it can be found on the sewage. Waste Category List which is a quick- reference guide to recording the controlled *Under the National Environment Protection waste in short-form for tracking purposes. (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure: The Waste Category List classifies the controlled waste into category groups and Waste means any: allocates a unique alpha-numeric code to (a) discarded, rejected, unwanted, surplus or each controlled waste. abandoned matter; or The waste may also be dangerous goods. (b) otherwise discarded, rejected, unwanted, Regulations relating to transporting dangerous surplus or abandoned matter intended for: goods are separate from controlled waste (i) recycling, reprocessing, recovery, regulations. For more information on reuse, or purification by a separate transporting dangerous goods contact the operation from that which produced Resources Safety Branch of the Department the matter; or of Mines and Petroleum. (ii) sale, whether of any value or not.

August 2014 DER2014/001443 1

Department of Environment Regulation CONTROLLED WASTE FACT SHEET 1

Controlled waste categories Bulk controlled waste For the purpose of tracking and transporting, Under the Regulations: controlled wastes are grouped into 15 broad categories: 2. bulk controlled waste means a A – Plating and heat treatment controlled waste that is transported in B – Acids a tank; C – Bases tank means an enclosed space that is D – Inorganic chemicals on, attached to or part of a vehicle and E – Reactive chemicals used, or designed to be used, for the F – Paints, resins, inks and organic transportation of a liquid or gas in sludges bulk… G – Organic solvents H – Pesticides Packaged controlled waste J – Oils K – Putrescrible and organic wastes According to regulation 2: L – Industrial wash waters packaged controlled waste means a M – Organic chemicals controlled waste that is transported otherwise N – Soils and sludge than as a bulk controlled waste… R – Clinical and pharmaceutical T – Miscellaneous This may include transportation in drums, skip Each category group has a number of waste bins, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or types relating to the controlled waste in solid wastes such as tyres and contaminated Schedule 1. Each waste type is assigned a soils. unique waste code; for example, K210 – sewage waste. Recycling controlled waste When completing and submitting controlled Regulatory requirements apply to controlled waste tracking information to meet regulatory waste regardless of whether the material is requirements, this short-form waste code can being disposed, recycled, re-used or be used to reference the controlled waste. undergoing any other treatment process. The Waste Category List also details examples of waste that fall under each Exclusions controlled waste. There are some circumstances where the Regulations do not apply to controlled wastes transported on a road. Under the Regulations Bulk and packaged controlled these are: waste 3.(6) (a) Controlled waste that is transported Controlled waste is contained as either bulk on a road under the Radiation Safety controlled waste, or packaged controlled (Transport of Radioactive Substances) waste. Regulations 2002. Different licensing requirements apply to the For more information on the transportation different containment types. and disposal of radioactive wastes contact the Radiation Health Branch of the Department of Health. What is controlled waste? DER2014/001443 2

Department of Environment Regulation CONTROLLED WASTE FACT SHEET 1

3. (6) (b) a controlled waste that may be More information lawfully accepted at a Class I inert landfill For advice on compliance with the site, Class II putrescible landfill, or Class III Regulations or any other controlled waste putrescible landfill facility (as determined by matter, please contact the Department on reference to the waste types set out in the document entitled ‘Landfill Waste 6467 5000, or email [email protected]. Classification and Waste Definition 1996’, published by the CEO and as amended from This document is available in alternative time to time… formats and other languages on request. The Regulations continue to apply to Related documents asbestos, clinical waste, tyres and encapsulated, chemically fixed, solidified or Additional publications about controlled waste polymerised controlled waste even if they are available online from meet landfill waste acceptance criteria for www.der.wa.gov.au/controlledwaste, or by Class I, II or III landfill facilities. contacting the Department on 6467 5000.

Under the Regulations other exclusions may Other fact sheets in the Controlled Waste also apply. series are: For more information on whether exclusions 2 Requirements of waste holders apply to transporting a controlled waste, 3 Controlled waste tracking contact the Department on 6467 5000. 4 Requirements of controlled waste carriers 5 Requirements of bulk controlled waste Penalties drivers Committing an offence under the Regulations, 6 Requirements of packaged controlled such as providing information that is false or waste drivers misleading, may attract on-the-spot fines of 7 Bulk controlled waste vehicles and tanks $250 or $500, or a penalty of up to $5000. 8 Packaged controlled waste vehicles 9 Controlled waste—waste facilities Significantly larger penalties may result if an 10 Controlled waste—transit facilities offence takes place under the Environmental 14 Regulations amendments overview—2014 Protection Act 1986, such as pollution caused from the illegal disposal of controlled waste. Legislation Note: Under the Environmental Protection Act This document is provided for guidance only. 1986 thresholds may apply to the amount of It should not be relied upon to address every waste stored, treated, reused or disposed of aspect of the relevant legislation. at a waste holder’s premises. Please refer to the Regulations and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 available from the State Law Publisher. Free electronic copies are available from www.slp.wa.gov.au

What is controlled waste? DER2014/001443 3