Controlled Waste

​Controlled waste is the most hazardous category of waste and includes those wastes that exhibit toxicity, chemical or biological reactivity, environmental persistence, or the ability to bio-accumulate or enter the food chain. These wastes need to be carefully managed and are closely regulated because of their potential to adversely impact human health and the environment. Some controlled wastes, such as tyres, are not strictly hazardous but they may also need special management.

The EPA has a statutory duty to protect the environment from the effects of controlled waste. Its powers range from requiring organisations to submit controlled waste data reports to enforcing the relevant provisions of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 and other relevant legislation.

Definitions

The terms hazardous waste, prescribed waste and controlled waste are used by various Australian environment protection agencies and to all intents and purposes are interchangeable. Tasmania has adopted the terminology of the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure 1998 (Controlled Waste NEPM) which uses the term controlled waste.

Controlled waste is defined in the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA) and the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Waste Management) Regulations 2020. Controlled ​wastes are listed in List 1, Schedule A of the Controlled Waste NEPM and are taken to possess one or more of the characteristics in List 2 unless demonstrated otherwise. The waste classification codes​ of controlled waste used in Tasmania are based on List 1, Schedule A of the Controlled Waste NEPM but include several other wastes prescribed in the Regulations.

  • Handling Controlled Waste in Tasmania
    Controlled wastes require various authorisations and methods of handling and disposal.
  • Interstate Movements of Controlled Waste
    Particular approvals are required if a controlled waste is transported to or from another State or Territory.
  • Controlled Waste Category Codes
    It is the responsibility of a controlled waste producer, agent, transporter or receiving facility operator to accurately describe controlled waste for the purpose of any handling or transport documentation. It is therefore important that the correct waste code and description are selected.
  • Characteristics of Controlled Waste
    From the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Wastes between States and Territories) Measure.