Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) must be treated to be suitable for use. After IBA has been treated to remove contaminants, it is sometimes called incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA).
You must get our approval to use IBA or IBAA. This is to make sure you are appropriately managing the potential risks.
Pathways to use incinerator bottom ash
The pathways and application requirements to use incinerator bottom ash can be complex.
Watch our video to learn about:
- requirements for managing, transporting and receiving IBA or IBAA
- pathways for using it
- the risks to human health and the environment
- how to apply for a permission.
Pathway to use incinerator bottom ash IBA
We can support you to apply for a permission to use IBA or IBAA. To request our help, visit Get help finding the right permission.
Apply for an A16 permit
To use IBA or IBAA, you need an A16 – Supply or use of reportable priority waste permit.
An A16 permit also lets you supply IBA that you've treated to be used elsewhere.
To apply, you need to provide detailed information about the waste, its potential risks and its proposed uses.
We cannot assess your application if you do not provide all the following information.
Proposal summary
At a minimum, your application should include details of:
- what material was incinerated to produce your IBA or IBAA (feedstock)
- the treatment methods
- the proposed end uses of the IBA or IBAA
- how the IBA or IBAA is suitable for the proposed end uses.
Physical and chemical characteristics
At a minimum, your application should include:
- a comprehensive physical and chemical characterisation of the IBA or IBAA, including:
- particle size
- density
- moisture content
- pH
- chemical composition
- heavy metal contents
- organic constituents
- total contaminant concentrations of the IBA or IBAA
- a leachability assessment that reflects the proposed end uses, demonstrating stability over the life of the material.
Consideration of risk of harm to human health and the environment
At a minimum, your application should include:
- a documented risk management process to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment, including:
- the environmental objectives and values that need to be protected
- how you will apply relevant soil and water guidelines to your use scenarios
- any proposed conditions, limitations or restrictions you will put in place to protect human health and the environment
- the expected environmental fate or behaviour of contaminants in the IBA or IBAA, considering the expected receiving environment/s and supported by multiple lines of evidence
- any information about the long-term stability of the IBA or IBAA – including while it's in use – and whether this may impact human health and the environment.
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