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Waste movement within South Australia
The waste transport certificate (268.2 KB PDF) or WTC, including the waste tracking form (WTF), provide the EPA with comprehensive information on the movement of listed and liquid wastes within South Australia.
The information helps to minimise adverse effects on human health and the environment by ensuring wastes are properly identified, transported, and reach appropriate depots for treatment, recycling, storage and/or disposal.
Objectives
The main objectives of the WTC and WTF are to:
- enable tracking of waste from the place of generation to the place of storage or final disposal
- ensure all parties are fully aware of the nature of the waste being handled and its associated hazards
- ensure that waste producers are more accountable for the treatment and disposal of their waste.
Applicable wastes
The WTC applies to the transport, storage and disposal of listed wastes as described in Part B of Schedule 1 (see Attachment 1) of the Environment Protection Act 1993.
The WTF tracks the movement of the following types of waste:
- water-based paints
- waste oil
- oil/water mixtures
- wool scouring waste
- grease trap waste
- intermediate landfill cover (contaminated soil)
- waste tyres.
Waste movement between states
In June 1998, the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) made a National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for the Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories.
The NEPM provides a nationally consistent system for tracking controlled waste movements throughout Australia aiming to minimise the potential for adverse impacts associated with the interstate movement of such waste on the environment and human health.
The NEPM is designed to contribute to the following objectives:
- to ensure that controlled wastes which are moved between states and territories are properly identified, transported and handled in an environmentally sound manner, and that they reach licensed or approved facilities for treatment, recycling, storage and/or disposal
- to gather comprehensive and detailed information on the movement of controlled wastes between states and territories
- to minimise environmental impacts to the air, marine, estuarine, freshwater and land environments.
The core elements of the NEPM are:
- guidelines for consistent and compatible tracking systems, including a national system of prior notification and consignment authorisation
- the use of appropriately licensed transporters and the mutual recognition of transport licences and permits for the purposes of interstate movement of controlled wastes
- the carrying of an approved waste manifest (in the form of a Waste Transport Certificate) to provide information to assist emergency services and to ensure the wastes reach appropriate facilities
- consultation between relevant jurisdictions on the appropriateness of waste movements and enforcement activity.
The NEPM requires suitable licences and national minimum standards for all interstate transporters of controlled wastes. A WTC issued in one jurisdiction will be recognised by other jurisdictions.
The agency or department responsible for environmental protection in the destination state or territory, or a facility authorised by that agency, will issue a consignment authorisation (71.6 KB PDF) within five working days following the receipt of a completed application from a waste producer.
An application will not be considered completed until all requested information is provided. Where an application is refused, the agency responsible for the decision will provide an explanation to the applicant for the reason of refusal.
Summary
- The waste producer wishing to send waste interstate obtains an application form for an interstate consignment authorisation (71.6 KB PDF), accurately provides the details required and signs declaration on the form.
- The waste producer submits the application form to the agency or department responsible for environmental protection in the destination state or territory.
- The details on the application are verified and consultation, where appropriate, takes place to determine whether the destination facility may accept the waste.
- Following agreement by the destination facility to accept the controlled waste, a consignment authorisation number is issued to the waste producer.
- Upon receipt of the waste, the destination facility will notify the waste producer and the regulatory agencies in the states or territories involved.
Further information
- Waste transport publications.
Last modified: 21/08/2012 03:26 pm
