Waste derived soil enhancer
The EPA has developed a standard on the information and processes that are required by the EPA to support the beneficial recycling of waste by its application to agricultural land as a soil enhancer.
The standard aims to provide clarity to industry and the broader community on the issues that need to be addressed to demonstrate the suitability of the waste derived soil enhancers (WDSE) for use, including the need for quality assurance measures, demonstration of beneficial properties and minimising the risk of harm.
Key components of the standard include:
- the need to demonstrate that the use of WDSE is for a beneficial purpose rather than a means of convenient disposal and the associated avoidance of regulation and costs
- the need to ensure that harm to the environment and human health is prevented or the risks minimised to levels acceptable to the EPA
- a requirement for the WDSE to meet a defined specification that is suitable for the proposed use.