SA’s EPP commences with the first stage of landfill bans
As of September 1, the Environment Protection Policy 2010 EPP became operational in South Australia. The day before, the EPA’s director of strategy and sustainability, Tony Circelli, provided an update to the industry on the implementation and communication of the EPP, including requirements relating to resource recovery and landfill bans.
In regard to the first phase of bans on landfills, Circelli said much of this waste is already being diverted from landfill – materials such as hazardous and medical waste, lead acid batteries and whole tyres.
Materials that have been “aggregated for resource recovery,” including glass, cardboard and paper, organics, a range of metals and PET or HDPE plastic packaging will also be banned from landfill.
He said rather than focusing just on volumes, the EPA and Zero Waste SA are working together to identify types of waste which present an opportunity for resource recovery.
“What we’re trying to do is establish a framework which will allow us to build in bans over the next two years…and formalising that through an EPP rather than have it as conditions of a licence”.
The EPP framework will allow for other materials to be “aggregated” as the systems are put in place to allow for their recovery, such as whitegoods, fluorescent light tubes, computers, televisions and other kinds of e-waste.
“In year one of the EPP implementation we think it will be largely ‘business as usual’ for the industry,” said Zero Waste SA’s manager of strategy and programs, Ian Harvey.
“However it’s in the outer years - years two and three - that we would hope to see increases in waste diverted from landfill.”
The Waste to Resources EPP supports South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007 target of reducing waste to landfill by 25% by 2014.
“The EPP and no direct haulage to landfill is a key ‘legislative driver’ needed to improve the policy outcomes we are trying to achieve in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill in South Australia,” said Harvey.
Industry will be granted a two-year reprieve from the requirement to subject all waste to resource recovery before landfill, although this move could present a change to current practices – especially in the commercial and industrial market - when it does come into force.
Circelli said the EPA’s engagement with waste and recycling industry players had to date been positive. “We’ve been talking with the resource recovery sector and landfill sectors, there’s still some anxiety in terms of policing how the bans will occur.
“We are working with very pro-active landfill operators and we’ll continue to work with them over the next three months on where any shades of grey exist for them. They are supportive of the intent of the EPP and where it’s headed”.
Key elements of the W2R EPP’s first phase, from September 1, 2010, include:
Landfill bans
The first of staged provisions prohibiting the disposal of certain waste types to landfill come into effect.
Illegal dumping
Improved illegal dumping and unauthorised stockpiling controls come into effect, with penalties of up to $250,000.
An EPA licences is still required for the receipt and disposal of waste.
Waste transport
Risk management requirements will apply for any person who transports waste (licenced or unlicenced) with penalties of up to $30,000 for non-compliance. An EPA licence, compliance with all licence conditions and the completion of waste transport certificates is still needed for the transport of waste.
Listed wastes
Disposal obligations will apply to unlicenced activities involving listed wastes, with penalties of up to $30,000 for non-compliance.
Medical waste
New treatment or disposal methods for medical waste may be approved by the EPA.
When waste constitutes a product
EPA standards may specify when a waste constitutes a product. The following relevant documents are for waste derived fill, waste derived soil enhancers and refuse derived fuel.
Weekly waste collection
Weekly collection of residual domestic waste will be mandated for metropolitan councils.
Waste management codes of practice
Industry specific waste management codes of practice to specify what actions will satisfy the general environmental duty may be prescribed. Currently, the only one code of practice has been prescribed, the nationally developed Industry Code of Practice for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes.
Source: Inside Waste Weekly
