Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014

The EPA has led important reforms to the way waste is managed in NSW, to better protect the environment and the community for the future. The EPA has raised standards across the industry, tightened the rules, and strengthened deterrence to ensure operators do the right thing. 

Leadership for a modern waste industry

During 2013-14 the EPA carried out an extensive review and consultation process on NSW's waste regulatory framework. The result was the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 (the Waste Regulation).

The Waste Regulation improves the EPA’s ability to protect human health and the environment, and paves the way for a modern and fair waste industry in NSW. The EPA rolled out the new rules stipulated under the Waste Regulation in stages over 2014-2017.

These changes include amended thresholds for environment protection licences and reforms to the waste levy system.

Waste levy guidelines

The Waste Regulation is supported by the Waste levy guidelines (PDF 888KB). These guidelines specify how to measure waste to calculate waste levy liability, the deductions waste operators can claim, and the EPA's requirements for records, surveys and reports.

Read more about the waste levy.

Main new provisions of the Waste Regulation

Main change Issue addressed

Improving resource recovery exemptions

Clarifies obligations of generators, processors and consumers of waste materials.

Prescribed wastes for land pollution offence

Makes it an automatic offence for a person who pollutes land with certain types of waste.

Improving immobilisation of high-risk contaminants

Clearly identifies responsibilities of generators and processors of immobilised waste, including recipient landfill.

Land pollution defence for unlicensed landfills

Introduces a land pollution defence at unlicensed landfills for operators who maintain certain minimum operational standards.

Additions to operational purpose deductions

Expands the range of materials eligible for a levy deduction.

Reduced licensing thresholds for waste activities

Lowers thresholds for licensing to ensure a level playing field across the waste industry.

Waste tracking for waste transported outside NSW

Allows the EPA to efficiently, cost-effectively gather robust data on waste movements.

Waste tyre monitoring and licensing

Addresses compliance issues regarding unlawful transport, storage and disposal of end-of-life tyres.

Asbestos waste monitoring requirements

Increases the EPA’s oversight of the removal, transport and disposal of asbestos waste.

Reforming the waste levy framework

Stops rogue operators who pretend to recycle but instead simply stockpile or dispose of waste illegally; makes the system fairer for operators who do the right thing.

New reporting requirements for waste facilities

Provides the reliable, up-to-date data that is essential to continue developing and evaluating effective waste policies.

Exemption notices

The EPA published the following exemptions in the NSW Government Gazette, in accordance with clause 91 of the Waste Regulation.

Other notices

Notification of specified waste facilities generating residual waste directly from the shredding of scrap metal (PDF 24KB).

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