Waste related legislation
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.
Get information about the following policies:
- 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)
For more information, also refer to the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998
The Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 establish a system of controls over the management of wastes, which require careful management and close regulation because of their potential adverse affect on the environment, human health and amenity.
These Regulations classify certain wastes as 'prescribed wastes' and 'prescribed industrial wastes' for the purposes of the Act. The Regulations encourage waste generators and managers to adopt a responsible approach and facilitate improvements in all aspects of waste management, including legitimate diversion of waste to productive purposes such as re-use, recycling or the recovery of energy.
The Regulations also establish detailed requirements for the transport of prescribed waste, including a tracking system and a permit system for vehicles transporting prescribed waste. The Regulations ensure consistency with controls in related areas and for the cross-border movement of controlled hazardous wastes.
The Regulations were also amended on 1 July 2007 to clearly define prescribed industrial wastes based on the hazard they pose to human health and the environment, either hazard category A, B or C.
The Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 are available online at the Victorian Law Today Library. Hard copies (paper) are available from the Information Victoria Bookshop and for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Fore information about this topic is available.
Environment Protection (Distribution of Landfill Levy) Regulations 2002
Landfill levies are levies paid on all waste disposed to licensed landfills in Victoria. Levy funds are used exclusively for environment protection activities, including fostering the sustainable use of resources and best practices in waste management.
To this end, the Environment Protection (Distribution of Landfill Levy) Regulations 2002 distribute levy funds to the key government agencies responsible for waste planning and management: regional waste management groups (RWMGs), Sustainability Victoria and EPA. The Treasurer and the Minister for Environment allocate the remaining levy funds through the sustainability fund.
The Environment Protection (Distribution of Landfill Levy) Regulations 2002 are available online at the Victorian Law Today Library. Hard copies (paper) are available for viewing at the EPA Victoria Library.
Get more information about this topic.
Publications
An EPA publication on the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 (Adobe PDF file, 64KB) is available. You can view other waste related publications.