Waste management policies (WMPs)
Industrial waste management policies (IWMPs) were one of the measures introduced into the Environment Protection Act 1970 by the Environment Protection (Industrial Waste) Act 1985 to improve the management of industrial wastes.
In 2002 the Environment Protection Act 1970 was amended by the Environment Protection (Resource Efficiency) Act to allow the Authority scope to develop waste management policies (WMPs). This change means that policies that deal with municipal waste can also be developed, thereby complementing existing arrangements and ensuring that a comprehensive framework of statutory policy can be maintained and strengthened.
WMPs cover the:
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of waste.
WMPs may also allocate responsibility for industrial waste management operations and disposal, and establish the level of technology that should be applied to processes involving wastes.
These are the WMPs administered by EPA:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories)
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (National Pollutant Inventory)
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Protection of the Ozone Layer)
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Waste Acid Sulfate Soils)
- Waste Management Policy (Ships' Ballast Water)
- Waste Management Policy (Siting, Design and Management of Landfills)
- Waste Management Policy (Solid Fuel Heating)
- Waste Management Policy (Used Packaging Materials)
Industrial Waste Management Policy (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories)
No. S222, Gazette 6/12/2001
View the Gazette (No. S222) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
The IWMP implements the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for the Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories. The IWMP provides a nationally consistent statutory framework in Victoria for the management of the movement of controlled wastes between the State of Victoria and other states and territories originating from commercial, trade or business activities. Core elements of the IWMP are the implementation of compatible tracking and notification systems, consultation between interested parties and mutual recognition of licences and permits for transporters.
Industrial Waste Management Policy (National Pollutant Inventory)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (National Pollutant Inventory)
No. S107, Gazette 6/10/1998
View the Gazette (No. S107) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
The National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure aims to maintain and improve the ambient air, marine, estuarine and fresh water quality, minimise the environmental impacts associated with hazardous wastes and increase the re-use and recycling of used materials. The purpose of this policy is to implement the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure within the state of Victoria. It involves collecting a broad base of information on emissions of substances to air, land and water within Victoria from both industry (through reporting obligations imposed on industrial facilities) and domestic sources (estimated by EPA).
Note that the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for the National Pollutant Inventory, which has been implemented in Victoria through the Industrial Waste Management Policy (National Pollutant Inventory), is currently being varied.
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Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)
No. S183, Gazette 5/12/2000
View the Gazette (No. S183) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Prescribed industrial wastes are wastes generated by industry that are perceived by the community to require careful management and close regulation because of their potential adverse environmental and health effects. This policy provides a framework and tools to manage prescribed industrial waste and protect human health, amenity and the environment from potential hazards it imposes. Its main objectives are to minimise the generation of prescribed industrial waste through design, resource selection, production and use of goods and services, and eliminate their disposal to landfill.
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Industrial Waste Management Policy (Protection of the Ozone Layer)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Protection of the Ozone Layer)
No. S193, Gazette 5/11/2001
View the Gazette (No. S193) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
The Policy Impact Assessment (Adobe PDF file, 451KB) is available from the EPA Publications Catalogue.
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Industrial Waste Management Policy (Waste Acid Sulfate Soils)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Industrial Waste Management Policy (Waste Acid Sulfate Soils)
No. S125, Gazette 18/9/1999
View the Gazette (No. S125) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
An acid sulfate soil is any soil, sediment, unconsolidated geological material or disturbed consolidated rock mass containing metal sulfides exceeding criteria published by the Authority. If managed inappropriately, waste acid sulfate soils may oxidise to produce acid which poses a risk to human health and the environment. This policy aims to protect human health and the environment from this risk by providing a management framework and specific requirements for the management of acid sulfate soils in an environmentally responsible manner.
Waste Management Policy (Ships' Ballast Water)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Waste Management Policy (Ships' Ballast Water)
No. S100, Gazette 27/4/2004
View the Gazette (No. S100) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
This policy aims to prevent new invasions and stop the spread of existing marine pests. The policy prevents the discharge of high risk ballast water into Victorian State waters. To avoid discharges of high risk ballast water, ships must either discharge their ballast safely out at sea or keep high risk ballast water on board. All ships are required to provide EPA with accurate information on the status and risk of any ballast water contained on their ships prior to arriving in Victorian State waters.
The Environment Protection (Ships' Ballast Water) Regulations 2006 were introduced by the Victorian Government to support the ballast water requirements.
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Waste Management Policy (Siting, Design and Management of Landfills)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Waste Management Policy (Siting, Design and Management of Landfills)
No. S264, Gazette 14/12/2004
View the Gazette (No. S264) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available from the Information Victoria Bookshop and for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Landfills are an important part of Victoria's waste management infrastructure. While disposal of materials to landfill is the least preferred management option, they will continue to be required in the future to manage those wastes that cannot currently be practicably removed from the waste stream.
The policy clarifies and strengthens the existing framework through promoting best practice and continuous improvement, in the way in which we plan, site, design and manage landfills in Victoria. The policy also promotes waste minimisation and resource recovery infrastructure that will in turn encourage market opportunities for recycling. The policy also provides a transparent assessment and consultation process to investigate banning specified wastes from landfill disposal where a higher waste management option is practicably available.
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Waste Management Policy (Solid Fuel Heating)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Waste Management Policy (Solid Fuel Heating)
No. S174, Gazette 27/7/2004
View the Gazette (No. S174) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
The burning of wood (solid fuel) for home heating is a significant source of air pollution in Victoria in the winter months. This policy aims to improve air quality and protect the environment, human health and amenity by reducing emissions from solid fuel heating. It requires that all solid fuel heaters manufactured and sold in Victoria be certified to comply with the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4013). When installed and operated correctly, solid fuel heaters that comply with this standard produce significantly less emissions than non-compliant heaters.
The policy also contains measures to improve the use and operating practices of solid fuel heating appliances already installed in homes. This includes community information and education campaigns that are aimed at assisting householders with these appliances to reduce their smoke emissions.
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Waste Management Policy (Used Packaging Materials)
This policy was gazetted as:
- Waste Management Policy (Used Packaging Materials)
No. S94, Gazette 28/3/2006
View the Gazette (No. S94) (Adobe PDF file from Craftsman Press - the Victorian Government Gazette printer).
Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Reducing environmental degradation arising from the disposal of used packaging and the conservation of raw materials are the underlying principles of this WMP. It encourages the re-use and recycling of used packaging materials by supporting and complementing the voluntary strategies in the National Packaging Covenant.
The National Packaging Covenant, based on the principle of product stewardship and shared responsibility, is an agreement entered into by governments and industry participants in the packaging chain. It obliges those who are benefiting from the production of a product to assume a share of responsibility for the product over its lifecycle. The WMP ensures that signatories to the National Packaging Covenant are not competitively disadvantaged by fulfilling their commitments to the covenant.
The National Packaging Covenant and associated documents are also available.