Smart regulation for Hazardous Waste

New hazardous waste regulations, that support Victoria’s status as a leader in the development of smart regulation, have been introduced by EPA.

The Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009 is forward thinking regulation that provides a framework to transform waste from a business cost to a resource opportunity.

In welcoming the new regulations Environment Minster Gavin Jennings said “the Victorian Government is responding to the community’s concern about potential environmental and health impacts of hazardous waste and at the same time, is working with industry to reduce waste generation and maximise resource efficiency.”

EPA undertook extensive consultation during the review process, involving community groups, industry, non-government organisations, government departments and the broader Victorian community.

These new regulations took effect from 1 July 2009 and replace the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 and the Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste) 2000.

The regulations reinforce the Government’s goal of zero high hazard waste to landfill by 2020. The objective of the new regulations is to drive resource efficiency and embed the waste hierarchy in the management of industrial wastes.

“The easiest way for industry to reduce the costs associated with management of their industrial waste is to avoid the generation of it altogether,” said Mr Jennings.

“The regulations therefore provide a decision framework within which industry must assess and apply where possible, opportunities to avoid, reduce, reuse or recycle their wastes and avoid their disposal to landfill.”

EPA provides a number of services that can assist industry as it makes the necessary transition to a resource efficient Victoria. This includes financial assistance through the HazWaste Fund, which provides support for innovative projects or technology that will reduce hazardous waste.

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