Incinerator bottom ash

Learn about incinerator bottom ash and the law.

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Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is one of the main residues from thermal waste-to-energy facilities that use incineration technology.

Waste-to-energy facilities convert waste materials into energy sources, such as electricity, heat and fuel. For more information on the role of waste-to-energy technology to divert waste from landfill, refer to the Victorian Waste to Energy Framework.

IBA may contain:

  • heavy metals
  • organic compounds
  • other toxic contaminants.

It 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).

Potential uses of IBA and IBAA include:

  • secondary aggregate within concrete
  • granular material for bases and sub-bases in pavement
  • material for embankments and subgrade
  • fine aggregate replacement for applications where the materials are chemically bound together.

IBA and the law

IBA and IBAA are pre-classified as reportable priority waste under Schedule 5 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.

The waste code is N205 (residues from industrial waste treatment/disposal operations, including digestate, bottom ash and char).

Legal duties that apply to managing, depositing and transporting reportable priority waste are:

The general environmental duty also applies to managing IBA.

In addition to the duties, you must get a permission to conduct some activities related to IBA. Permissions have conditions that must be followed.

To use IBA or IBAA, you may need to apply for an A16 – Supply or use of reportable priority waste permit. You may not need a permit if:

  • you're receiving IBA or IBAA from a supplier who holds an A16 permit to supply IBA or IBAA, and
  • the supplier has identified you as being able to safely use the waste.

This can apply to an individual user or a class of users.

If we do not approve the permit for the use of IBA or IBAA, you must take it to a place authorised to receive it.

To transport IBA or IBAA, you need an A10b – Reportable priority waste (transport) – other registration. You must also track the waste using Waste Tracker.

To receive IBA or IBAA from another site to treat or process, you may need an A01 – Reportable priority waste management licence. Your licence will include conditions to manage the risks associated with IBA or IBAA.

Our role in IBA

We jointly regulate thermal waste-to-energy facilities in Victoria. Other regulators include Recycling Victoria and planning authorities.

Our regulatory role is to eliminate and reduce risks of harm to human health and the environment. This includes assessing and approving the use of waste residues from thermal waste-to-energy facilities.

Impact of IBA on health and the environment

The risk from IBA and IBAA to human health and the environment may vary, depending on:

  • what was incinerated to produce it
  • what process was used to incinerate it
  • how it was treated
  • what it will be used for.

The ash may contain heavy metals, organic compounds or other toxic contaminants. The risks of harm include contaminants leaching into the soil surface, water or groundwater and polluting the air as dust.

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