Waste
Most activities generate waste, some of which is hazardous. The EPA manages the transport and disposal of hazardous waste, and works with industry to find sustainable solutions to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill.
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Waste: NSW overview
The EPA provides leadership to ensure NSW has a fair, modern and well-regulated waste industry. The EPA works with communities, government and business to reduce the impact of waste on the environment, to protect our air, waterways, land and health of the community.
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Reducing your household waste
Reducing waste involves changing our everyday behaviour. It means thinking about our needs and the whole life cycle of a product before we buy something. Reducing waste can save money, conserve resources, save energy and water and reduce pollution.
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Local council operations
We provide waste and recycling program and infrastructure funding for local councils, and support for groups of councils to collaborate across regions.
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Waste facilities
The NSW waste regulatory framework establishes a level playing field for operators of waste and recycling facilities. The framework includes the requirement to hold an environment protection licence if certain thresholds are met, and the requirement to record and report to the EPA the quantities and types of waste moving through the facility.
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Waste levy
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) requires certain licensed waste facilities in NSW to pay a contribution for each tonne of waste received at the facility. Referred to as the 'waste levy', the contribution aims to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled and promote recycling and resource recovery.
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Managing industrial waste
Certain wastes have properties that make them hazardous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. As well as the general regulatory requirements relating to waste, additional regulatory requirements may apply. The EPA enforces these rules to protect our air, waterways, land and the health of the community for the future.
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Classifying waste
To comply with the waste legislation, those who generate waste are responsible for classifying their waste into one of six waste classes.
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Transporting waste
The transport of waste may present a risk to human health and the environment. Waste transporters, generators and receivers are required to comply with the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 to ensure waste is appropriately transported to a place that can lawfully receive the waste.
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Tracking and transporting hazardous waste
Tracking the transport and disposal of high-risk or hazardous waste minimises potential harm to the environment and human health. Waste tracking helps stamp out illegal dumping, prevents waste going to the wrong facility and stops unfair competition.
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Training for building certifiers
We offer free online training to help building certifiers assess and report hazardous waste.
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Tracking waste from the Metropolitan Levy Area
Waste generated in the Metropolitan Levy Area must be tracked when transported out of NSW.
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Managing waste in emergencies and disasters
Before communities can rebuild after disasters they may first need to safely dispose of waste and debris from storms, bushfires, flood, building fires and other major incidents.