Your business can produce odour across many different activities, for example: 

• storing and handling raw materials 
• during processing  
• in the waste, products or by-products from your business.  

Some examples of businesses that need to manage odour include: 

• landfills 
• coffee roasters 
• bakeries 
• organic waste or compost facilities 
• animal processing facilities. For example, rendering facilities and abattoirs 
• breweries 
• sewage and wastewater treatment facilities 
• spray painters and powder coaters 
• plastic moulders. 

Why eliminating or reducing odour is important

When not appropriately managed, odour can impact the environment and community in many ways. This includes: 

• local amenity and enjoyment 
• human health and wellbeing
• ecosystems and biodiversity. 

Eliminating or reducing the risks of harm from odour in a structured way will help you: 

• meet community expectations 
• prevent harm to human health and the environment 
• comply with your environmental duties and obligations. 

Not eliminating or reducing your environmental risk could mean you face cleanup costs, lost work time, legal fees, fines and criminal charges. 

Odour and your duties

Businesses must make sure that any odour from their activities or premises doesn’t impact the local community. This includes being responsible for contractors or tradespeople they may hire. 

There are laws that cover air pollution and air quality.