Waste
EPA works in partnership with all levels of government, industry and the community to facilitate sustainable solutions for waste management.
What is waste?
Waste can cause pollution and impact on our environment if not properly managed. This section provides information about what is waste, how it is defined by the Environment Protection Act 1970 and types of waste.
What is EPA doing about waste?
Wastes, whether from businesses or households, represent both environmental risks and wasted resources. EPA works in partnership with all levels of government, industry and the community to facilitate sustainable solutions for waste management. This page also provides information about the role of other government agencies in Victoria.
More on the role of EPA and other government agencies in Victoria.
Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans (EREP)
From 1 January 2008 all commercial and industrial sites in Victoria that use more than 100 TJ of energy and/or 120 ML of water in a financial year need to prepare a plan that identifies actions to reduce energy and water use and waste generation. Each site that exceeds one or more thresholds must register with EPA, prepare a plan, implement actions with a payback period of three year or less, and report on their performance annually.
What you can do to reduce household waste
Get hints for reducing wastes and reusing products, including disposal of chemicals.
Landfills
Landfills are an important part of Victoria's waste management infrastructure. The siting, management and rehabilitation of landfills requires a high level of design and features to be implemented to ensure that the environment is protected and community aspirations are met.
Prescribed waste
Prescribed wastes include potentially hazardous wastes, but also wastes that may affect amenity (for example via odour impacts). EPA regulates the management and disposal of prescribed industrial waste through statutory instruments including licensing, works approval, notices, regulation and policy.
Hazard classification and waste immobilisation
From 1 July 2007, all solid prescribed industrial wastes destined for landfill must first be classified into a hazard category (Category B or C). In most cases, the waste generator will classify their waste into a hazard category using EPA Publication 996, Guidelines for Hazard Classification of Solid Prescribed Industrial Wastes (Adobe PDF Format, 198KB).
Waste asbestos
This page has information about the transport and disposal of waste asbestos, including links to information on the identification, management, handling and removal of waste asbestos.
Prescribed industrial waste database
This page provides details of licensed prescribed industrial waste treaters/disposers and permitted transporters of prescribed industrial waste.
Long-term containment
A long-term containment facility is a purpose-designed facility to provide safe final storage for solid prescribed industrial wastes that cannot be otherwise avoided or beneficially reused.
WasteCert transport certificates
EPA's WasteCert system enables the electronic completion and lodgement of waste transport certificates used to track the movement of prescribed wastes. To use this system you must have registered with EPA in the role of waste producer, transporter, receiver and/or accredited agent.
More on the electronic completion and lodgement of waste transport certificates
Litter
Litter is the most visible sign of pollution. It can cause injury to people and wildlife. It encourages pest animals such as rats, mice and seagulls as well as the spread of germs and disease. This section provides information and advice on how to prevent litter and its impacts, fines and contact details for organisations involved in preventing litter.
National Packaging Covenant
The National Packaging Covenant is an agreement between key stakeholders in the packaging supply chain and all spheres of government – Australian, State, territory and local.
Policies, legislation and guidelines
This section contains information about waste related policies, regulations and guidelines.
Prescribed industrial waste disposed to landfills in Victoria
Through avoidance and resource recovery programs, EPA is working with industry towards further reductions in manufacturing waste; view the 2005 report. More »