Classifications Issued by EPA

Overview

EPA has issued several classifications for prescribed industrial wastes, for both manufacturing waste and contaminated soil, in accordance with clause 11(1) of the Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste).  Those Classifications that have not expired, will remain in effect until they expire or are revoked by the EPA.

Classifications will now be issued under clause 11 of theEnvironment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009, which in July 2009 replaced the Environment Protection (Prescribed Industrial Waste) Regulations 1998 and the Industrial Waste Mangement Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste) 2000.

These classifications may be grouped into the following categories:

• Classifications – for Reuse (opportunities for re-use) e.g. used oil filters, large containers, grease interceptor trap waste.
• Classifications – for Disposal may be issued to industry-wide waste streams or to an individual waste stream.
• General Classification (industry-wide waste streams) e.g. ceramic based fibres, contaminated absorbent materials.
• Specific Classification (individual waste streams) e.g. industry specific filter cake, contaminated soil stockpiles, treatment plant residue.

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Classifications – for Reuse

Overview

Classifications that ban waste streams from landfill are issued when alternative reuse or recycling options are identified.  This results in higher hierarchy management of many prescribed industrial wastes (PIW) that have previously been taken to landfill for disposal.  For example, this might enable the energy to be recovered from waste streams, turning what was once deemed a waste into a recoverable, re-useable and/or valuable resource. 

Currently these classifications include: grease interceptor trap waste, used oil filters, large containers and soils contaminated with organic compounds.

Classification for grease interceptor trap waste

The Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines – Grease Interceptor Trap Waste explains the requirements for waste generators, transporters and facilities that receive grease interceptor trap waste and how EPA will implement the classification.  (This guideline replaces Publication 955 – Classification for Grease Interceptor Trap Waste).

Retail food businesses such as restaurants and fast food outlets use grease traps to capture food, grease and solids before discharging wastewater to sewer. The residual waste that is captured is called grease interceptor trap waste and is one of the highest volume prescribed industrial waste streams in Victoria.  It is estimated that the landfill ban diverts more than 5000 tonnes of this waste from disposal to reuse and recycling options, such as composting and grease recovery, ensuring this waste is recognised as a valuable resource. 

Background and draft documents

• Publication 956 – Response to Comments – Draft Classification for Grease Interceptor Trap Waste (PDF, 134KB)
• EPA Publication 890 – Draft Classification for Grease Interceptor Trap Waste (PDF, 134KB)

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Classification for used oil filters

The Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines – Oil Filters explains the requirements for waste generators, transporters and facilities that receive large containers and how EPA will implement the classification. (This guideline replaces Publication 1102 - Classification for used oil filters).

Used oil filters are generated mainly by automotive workshops from servicing vehicles. This classification mandates that used oil filters must be recycled to recover valuable metal and oil resources from and estimated 2000 tonnes generated in Victoria each year. 

Background and draft documents

• EPA Publication 1103 - Response to comments – Draft classification for used oil filters (PDF 134KB)
• EPA Publication 1023 - Draft classification for used oil filters (PDF 134KB)

Classification for large containers    

The Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines – Large Containers explains the requirements of the classification for waste generators, transporters and facilities that receive large containers and how EPA will implement the classification. (This guideline replaces Publication 1100 - Classification for large containers contaminated with prescribed industrial waste).

EPA has classified rigid steel and plastic containers with an original volume greater than or equal to 200 litres to be reused or recycled to recover valuable metal and plastic resources. It is estimated that up to 2000 tonnes of containers will be diverted from landfill to reuse and recycling options, ensuring the recovery of resources and reducing waste volumes disposed to landfill.

Background and draft documents

• EPA Publication 1101 - Response to comments (large containers) Draft classification for rigid packaging (PDF 134KB)
• EPA Publication 1024 - Draft classification for rigid packaging (PDF 134KB)

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Classification for Contaminated Soil

EPA has published this classification and will implement it by amending landfill licences to prohibit the acceptance of contaminated soils once one or more facilities are developed.

EPA Publication 878 Classification For Contaminated Soil (PDF 187KB) explains the requirements of the classification for waste generators, transporters and facilities that receive soils contaminated with organic compounds and how EPA will implement the classification.  The classification was published in Government Gazette No. G44 p27 (2002) (PDF 462KB).

EPA has classified rigid steel and plastic containers with an original volume greater than or equal to 200 litres to be reused or recycled to recover valuable metal and plastic resources. It is estimated that up to 2000 tonnes of containers will be diverted from landfill to reuse and recycling options, ensuring the recovery of resources and reducing waste volumes disposed to landfill.

EPA has classified the following prescribed industrial waste soils contaminated with:

• monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• total petroleum hydrocarbons
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• organochlorine compounds

as wastes for which opportunities for reuse, recycling, recovery of energy and treatment will be available in the foreseeable future.

In some instances it may be practicable and environmentally beneficial to store or treat soil on site. Any such activities must be undertaken in accordance with the general provisions of the policy and any site specific directions and controls established by EPA.

Background and draft documents

• EPA Publication 879 – Draft Classification – Contaminated Soils Responses to Comments (PDF 205KB)

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Classifications – for Disposal (General Classifications)

These general classifications may be used by anyone wanting to dispose of these types of waste, provided they meet the conditions of the classification.  All classifications are published in the Government Gazette and can be easily downloaded from the website using the links below.

General Classifications by Hazard Waste Category	Published in:
Firefighting Dry Chemical Powders (DCP) (PDF 56KB)	Government Gazette S262
This classification is for firefighting dry chemical powders (DCP) listed in Table 1 of this classification. Firefighting DCP becomes prescribed industrial waste when removed from fire extinguishers during routine refill and maintenance; and/or mixtures of firefighting DCP formulations. Firefighting DCP that have been managed in accordance with the conditions of this classification are classified as Category C prescribed industrial waste.
Ceramic-Based Fibres (PDF 42KB) Category C	Government Gazette G24
Ceramic-based fibres with physico-chemical characteristics similar to those of asbestos are a prescribed industrial waste, and when destined for landfill must be packaged in accordance with the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - The Transport and Disposal of Waste Asbestos. (This guideline replaces Publication 364.1 The Transport and Disposal of Waste Asbestos).  Once appropriately packaged, these wastes are classified as Category C wastes.
Absorbent materials (PDF 45KB) Category C	Government Gazette G24
Significant amounts of absorbent materials include; rags, wipes, booms, matting and spill control products generated as a result of maintenance, production or process activities and/or emergency response are to be managed as prescribed industrial waste in accordance with this Classification.  The use of absorbent materials should be avoided through prevention measures, other means of cleaning or recycled or sent for energy recovery where possible. This Classification applies to absorbent materials contaminated with solvent and oil (C6-C36 petroleum hydrocarbons, synthetic and natural oils), inks, dyes, pigments, paints, lacquers and varnish and are classified as Category C wastes if they are free of liquid and do not display any hazard characteristics, in particular, are not flammable. Absorbent materials with other contaminants not listed above must be assessed using EPA Publication 996, Guidelines for Hazard Classification of Solid Prescribed Industrial Wastes, which has been replaced by the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - Solid Industrial Waste - Hazard Categorisation & Management.
Packaging wastes (PDF 49KB) Category C	Government Gazette G24
Packaging wastes may include small containers, bulk bags, internal liners with solid PIW residues (i.e. trace amounts of the original product remaining in packaging after emptying).  This Classification does not apply to packaging where the quantity of PIW is greater than a residue.  These wastes must be assessed to determine the hazard category of the waste itself, rather than the packaging using EPA Publication 996, Guidelines for Hazard Classification of Solid Prescribed Industrial Wastes, which has been replaced by Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - Solid Industrial Waste - Hazard Categorisation & Management. EPA has banned large steel or plastic containers contaminated with prescribed industrial waste from landfill and mandated that these wastes must be reused or recycled.  See the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - Large Containers. (This guideline replaces Publication 1100 Classification for large containers contaminated with prescribed industrial waste).
Arsenic and Arsenic Compounds contained in sand, rock and mine tailings from the City of Greater Bendigo Municipality (PDF 52 KB)	Government Gazette S51
The classification applies to arsenic and arsenic compounds contained in sand, rock and mine tailings generated in the City of Greater Bendigo Municipality.

The following Classifications have been revoked (effective 1 July 2009) as these values have been amended. Refer to the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - Solid Industrial Waste Hazard Categorisation and Management

• Antimony and Antimony Compounds
• Barium and Barium Compounds

The Animal Effluent and Residues Classification has also been revoked (effective 1 July 2009). Solid residues from animal effluent including abattoir effluent, poultry and fish processing waste is considered Commercial Food Waste (provided the solid residues have not undergone any treatment or chemical addition), which is an Industrial Waste under the new Regulations.

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Classifications – for Disposal (Specific Classifications)

A specific classification is issued by the EPA to an individual company for their waste stream.  This type of classification may be issued when it can be demonstrated that the contaminants are intrinsically or chemically immobilised or when the contaminants present in the waste are not specifically listed.  All classifications can be easily downloaded using the links below.

 

List of specific classifications (current)	Published in:
OneSteel Wiremill Pty Ltd (PDF 174KB)
EPA has issued a Classification to OneSteel for their filter cake located at their premises in Madden Ave, North Shore, Vic.
Australian Refined Alloys (PDF 169KB)
EPA has issued a classification to Australian Refined Alloys Pty Ltd, Altona North, Vic for the rotary furnace slag.
Veolia-Yarraville lead-contaminated Soil (PDF 146KB)
EPA has issued a classification to Veolia for lead-contaminated soil from Yarraville and managed at their premises at Mc Donald Rd Brooklyn, Vic.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)- PAH-Bap contaminated soil (PDF 148KB)
EPA has issued a classification to RMIT for PAH-Bap-contaminated soil from managed at their premises as 124 Latrobe St, Melbourne Vic 300.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd (PDF 179KB)
EPA has issued a Classification to Toyota for filter cake, paint sludge and phosphate sludge generated at their premises in Altona North, Vic and treated at Veolia Environmental Services in Brooklyn, Vic.
Stonnington City Council-contaminated soil (PDF 151KB)
EPA has issued a Classification to the Stonnington City Council for contaminated soil located at Cnr Edgar St and High St, Glen Iris Vic.
Victorian Rail Track Corporation (VicTrack) Spotswood-immobilised contaminated soil (PDF 153KB)	Government Gazette S199
EPA has issued a Classification for immobilised contaminated soil to VicTrack located at Melbourne Rd, Spotswood, Vic
CSR (PDF 175KB)	Government Gazette S170
EPA has issued a classification to CSR Bulding Products Ltd, Vermont, Vic for the limestone scrubber waste.
Noel Arnold & Associates Pty Ltd immobilized contaminated soil. (PDF 177KB)	Government Gazette S056
EPA has issued a Classification for immobilized contaminated soil to Noel Arnold & Associates Pty Ltd in behalf of Bayside City council-Greenbelt Area.
Veolia Environmental Services- Magnesium Slag. (PDF 162KB)	Government Gazette S006
Veolia has a hazard classification for magnesium and magnesium oxide slag originated from Australian Automotive Air and encapsulated at Veolia facility in Brooklyn, Victoria.
Sims Aluminium Pty Ltd (PDF 191KB)	Government Gazette S015
Sims Aluminium Pty Ltd has hazard classification for dross fines, processed salt slags and non-metallic products generated at their facility in Moolap, Victoria.
Carlton Football Club contaminated soil (PDF 169KB)	Government Gazette S073
EPA has issued a Classification for contaminated soil to Carlton Football Club.
Coppin Property Pty Ltd contaminated soil (PDF 169KB)	Government Gazette S035
EPA has issued a Classification for contaminated soil to Coppin Property
Dolomatrix Australia Ltd (Chemsal) waste packaged laboratory chemicals (PDF 144KB)	Government Gazette S097
EPA has issued a Classification for waste packaged laboratory chemicals to Dolomatrix Australia Ltd (trading as Chemsal)
Enviropacific Services Pty Ltd - immobilized contaminated soil. (PDF 172KB)	Government Gazette S097
EPA has issued a Classification for immobilized contaminated soil at Area 4-B,  Werribee Wastewater Treatment Plant to Enviropacific Services Pty Ltd.

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