Proposed Regulated Waste Framework

Julian Chan - EHP

Project Background and Description

• Environmental Protection Regulation 2008– Sch 7 pt 1: List of regulated wastes– Sch 7 pt 2: Wastes not regulated

• Consequence of being a regulated waste: – disposal, treatment, reprocessing & transport -> regulated

as environmentally relevant activities • Project aim: review and reform this list to increase ease of

use, clarity and consistency

Desired Outcomes

• Streamline regulated waste management processes while still managing risk to the environment and human health;

• Improve EHP’s waste management processes; • Reduce costs to business; • Provide clarity regarding what is regulated and why; • Develop a risk assessment process for identifying

substances that are potentially hazardous to the environment and human health;

• Regulate in proportion to risk and environmental & human health hazards;

• Update an ‘out of date’ regulated waste list.

Outside the Scope

• Compliance & enforcement;• Influencing [inter]national processes; • S 13 definition of waste.

Elements of the Proposed Framework

• Hazard based definition of regulated waste with hazard parameters defining each of the regulated wastes;

• Quantitative hazard thresholds; • Testing regime for categorising regulated wastes;• Default waste categorisation table;• Decision-making framework for the above.

What substances are different?

• Current categories are broad and bundles up• The new tables are more specific

Current Sch 7 pt 1 Regulated Waste

27. Hydrocarbons and water mixtures or emulsions, including oil and water mixtures

Revised Sch 7 Pt 1 Regulated Waste

C6-C9 petroleum hydrocarbons

C10-C36 petroleum hyrdocarbons

New Decision-Making Framework

1. Definitional Exclusion Test

2. Characterise type of hazard present

3. Test for hazard parameters

5. No testing? – default categorisation

4. Categorise the Waste’s hazard

1. Definitional Exclusion Test

• Waste outside the regulatory definition of ‘regulated waste’ section 65 EP Regulation

• Wastes included in Schedule 7 Part 2

2. Characterise hazard type(s) present

• Identify likely contaminants, constituents or properties (hazard parameters)

• Table 2:

3. Test for Hazard Parameters

• Sample and quantitatively test for identified hazard parameters;

• Involves procedures for quality assurance and appropriate scientific protocols.

• Two types of testing: – T = total concentration– L = leachable concentration

4. Assess and Categorise Waste Hazard

• Assess testing results for each hazard parameter against the hazard thresholds:

– Cat 2 upper limits – T(total) and L(leachable)– Cat 3 upper limits – T(total) and L(leachable)– Cat NR upper limits – T(total) and L(leachable)

5. No testing? – Default Categorisation!

• If a person does not wish to sample the waste it is automatically deemed a regulated waste (unless clearly ‘not regulated’ waste).

– Category 1, 2 or 3? Use table 4:

Discussion?

Where to from here?

• June & July 2015 - broad stakeholder consultation • September 2015 – Release of Regulatory Impact Statement

for public consultation• December 2-15 – Regulation made – Commencement 2016