Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is Victoria’s independent environmental regulator. We're a science-based regulator that protects human health and the environment from the impacts of pollution and waste. We provide leadership and oversight of Victoria’s waste and recycling sector to improve reliability and performance, supporting the state’s transition to a circular economy.
We do this by:
- working with community, business, governments and traditional owners to prevent and reduce the harmful impacts of pollution and waste
- supporting all Victorians to understand their obligations under the law
- taking proportionate regulatory action against those who fail to meet their obligations
- providing clear advice on the state of our environment so that people can make informed decisions about their health
- improving the reliability and performance of the waste and recycling sector to support Victoria’s transition to a circular economy
- providing direction and oversight for new waste and recycling standards
- collecting and reporting on market data to inform planning and decision-making
- outlining infrastructure needs and gaps to drive innovation and potential investment where it is needed most.
Monitor the quality of the environment
We monitor Victoria's land, air and water quality to prevent, reduce and manage pollution.
Support business to comply with the law
We support businesses to prevent harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. We provide guidance and encourage higher performance and improved practices.
Inform and educate
We help people understand how their activities impact the environment and human health, what they can do to minimise risk, and how they can get involved in decisions that affect them and the environment.
Manage compliance and enforce the law
Our approach to compliance and enforcement is a mix of encouragement and deterrence.
Set environmental standards
We set standards to help people understand and meet their environmental responsibilities and to manage risks to the environment and human health.
Our role in managing climate change risks
We're committed to playing our part in the Victorian Government’s direction on climate change.
Our role in public health
We have a role in preventing harm to human health from pollution and waste.
Our role in the environmental audit system
We oversee the environmental audit system. This includes appointing and monitoring environmental auditors.
Our role in land use planning and development
We support state and local government with planning permit applications, planning scheme amendments and land use processes.
The Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan
A plan that provides Victorian circular economy investors with a contemporary road map to guide decision-making on waste, recycling and resource recovery infrastructure over the next 30 years.
Risk, consequence and contingency planning
We are leading risk, consequence and contingency planning in the waste, recycling and resource recovery sector. Our priority is to make the system more reliable and support Victoria's transition to a sustainable and thriving circular economy.
Data hub
Providing data, intelligence and insights for use by Victoria's waste, recycling and resource recovery sector, businesses, government and the community.
Container Deposit Scheme
Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is an important part of the work that is transforming Victoria’s waste and recycling system.
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