Waste to Resources Policy 2010
The Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy 2010 (W2R EPP):
- supports the South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007 target of reducing waste to landfill by 25% by 2014
- provides regulatory underpinning for South Australia’s Waste Strategy
- promotes the implementation of the waste management hierarchy, improves resource recovery and reduces waste going to landfill
- helps to broaden the responsibility for waste management amongst stakeholders
- provides improved options for regulating illegal dumping and inappropriate stockpiling
- helps avoid or minimise the risks of environmental harm from waste management
- promotes consistency and transparency for industry by requiring the EPA to take into account specified guidelines when assessing environmental authorisations and development applications for depots
- creates opportunities for industry sectors to work with the EPA to achieve certainty regarding expected behaviours and a more 'level playing field' by developing prescribed industry codes of practice for the appropriate management of waste.
Different parts of the Waste to Resources EPP came into effect in stages over the 3 years following 1 September 2010.
Key elements
- Landfill bans
The prohibition of the disposal of certain types of waste directly to landfill in stages. - Illegal dumping
Improved illegal dumping and unauthorised stockpiling controls, with penalties of up to $250,000. More information on stockpiling. - Waste transport
Risk management requirements apply for any person who transports waste (licensed or unlicensed) with penalties of up to $30,000 for non-compliance.. - Listed wastes
Disposal obligations for unlicensed activities involving listed wastes, with penalties of up to $30,000 for non-compliance. - Medical waste
New treatment or disposal methods for medical waste may be approved by the EPA. - When waste ceases to be waste
EPA standards may specify when a waste constitutes a product. The following relevant documents are for waste derived fill, waste derived soil enhancers and refuse derived fuel. - Weekly waste collection
Weekly collection of relevant residual domestic waste is mandated for metropolitan councils. - EPA considerations
This includes when determining matters in relation to development applications or licence applications/renewals. - Waste management codes of practice
Industry specific waste management codes of practice to specify what actions will satisfy the general environmental duty may be prescribed. Currently, only one code of practice has been prescribed, the nationally developed Industry Code of Practice for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes. - Medical sharps
From 1 September 2012, medical sharps are banned from household kerbside bins. - Enhancing resource recovery
From 1 September 2012, waste from metropolitan Adelaide (subject to exemptions) is required to be subject to resource recovery processes prior to disposal at landfill.
The Waste to Resources EPP was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1993, including the preparation of a draft Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy 2010 and the EPA’s response to the public submissions.