Bega Valley
Indicator: Hazardous Waste
Results for this indicator are also available for [an error occurred while processing this directive]
What the results tell us for Bega Valley
Council has a licence to collect hazardous waste but uses a licensed contractor for the collection of such material that is generated in the Shire. Council has an annual ‘Clean Out’ collection of chemicals in the Shire.
In 2007-2008, some 8,333 kilograms (net weight) of hazardous waste (Table 1) were collected from the Clean Out or dropped-off at other collection points, and transported from the Shire for appropriate disposal according to the National Environment Protection Measure for the collection, transportation and disposal of 'controlled' waste.
The largest quantities collected (by weight) were vehicle batteries, water-based paints, oils, oil-based paints, pesticides and gas cylinders.
Council notes that it does not have records for this reporting period for some categories of hazardous waste. Available data is shown in Table 1 from annual chemical cleanout program collections, and drop offs of material like oily waste waters, motor oils and vehicle batteries.
Unfortunately data on other hazardous wastes dropped-off at each of the landfills or transfer stations around the Shire has not been recorded during the period.
Changes and trends
From the data available there does not appear to be any real trend in behaviour evident. It would though appear that the stock of oil based paints within the community is declining. Little data or information is available regarding the volumes of household hazardous chemicals contained within the weekly kerbside solid waste collection.
| 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids | 30.8 | 26 | 22.8 | 48.3 |
| Alkalis | 43 | 14.5 | 2.75 | 6.75 |
| Arsenic | 1.5 | 1 | 3.75 | 12.4 |
| Asbestos | 75 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Automotive products | 0 | 0 | 491.7 | 14.85 |
| Batteries - lead acid | 5,341.6 | 3,777.5 | 3,634 | 4,117.9 |
| Batteries -Nicad | 3.55 | 4 | 3.25 | 17.43 |
| Batteries - Nihyd | 4 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Batteries - Normal | 18.5 | 29.5 | 47.25 | 0 |
| Cyanide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fire extinguishers - Halon | 12.55 | 8.5 | 2.1 | 3 |
| Fire extinguishers - Other | 19.55 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Flares - ammunition | 8.5 | 2 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Fluorescent tubes | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.35 |
| Gas cylinders - propane | 1,517.36 | 571 | 332 | 226.25 |
| Gas cylinders - other | 163.1 | 88 | 181.5 | 0.1 |
| General household chemicals | 40 | 12.5 | 313.1 | 49.2 |
| Halogenated solvents | 0 | 0 | 45.45 | 0.78 |
| Heavy metals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.3 |
| Hydrocarbons and fuels | 192.6 | 432 | 0 | 119.03 |
| Inert liquids | 24 | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| Inert solids | 92.5 | 59 | 521.1 | 152.15 |
| Smoke detectors | 2.05 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Oil (flashpoint< 61 degrees) | 0 | na | na | |
| Oil (flashpoint> 61 degrees) | 769.9 | 981 | 1064.33 | 464.68 |
| Organoperoxides | 3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Oxidising agents | 1 | 32 | 0.25 | 5.65 |
| Paint - Water | 347.5 | 1221 | 742.13 | 2,248 |
| Paint -Oil | 1,227.67 | 815.5 | 410.85 | 320 |
| Paint - Metal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paint - Other | 3 | 0.5 | 1.95 | 5.5 |
| PCB's | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pesticides - general liquids | 141.5 | 153.5 | 144.63 | 231.2 |
| Pesticides - general solids | 58 | 48 | 15.25 | 70.1 |
| Pesticides - Organochlorine liquids | 8.5 | 3 | 10.88 | 21.5 |
| Pesticides - Organochlorine solids | 1.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 0 |
| Reactives | 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 2.1 |
| Toxics | 392 | 56.5 | 13.4 | 57 |
| Pharmaceuticals | 18 | 24 | 6.3 | 11.8 |
| Photographic chemicals | 1 | 282 | 26.4 | 0 |
| Unknown liquids | 292.2 | 79 | 447.39 | 100.1 |
| Unknown solids | 7 | 18 | 17.75 | 0 |
| Aerosols | 33.6 | 0 | 32.5 | 22.75 |
| Other | 19.2 | 0.5 | 10.5 | 0 |
| Total (kg) | 10,917.73 | 8,789.5 | 8,551.96 | 8,332.67 |
* Includes only controlled wastes generated in and exported from the Shire of which Council has knowledge; Source: Bega Valley Shire Council and Chemsal Contractors
In addition to the Chemical Cleanout data, Council data shows that in 2007-2008 some 3kl of motor oil, some 107 miscellaneous vehicle batteries and some 36t of oil waste water was dropped off at Council facilities
Imports and exports
A licensed contractor transports and delivers all the waste that is collected in Council's annual Hazardous Waste Drop-off and Collection Service (see Table 1) to a licensed facility outside the Shire for treatment and disposal in a manner compliant with the NEPM.
As there are no permanent hazardous waste disposal facilities in the Council area, Council believes that no hazardous waste is transported into the Shire for disposal.
About the data
Information was provided by Bega Valley Shire Council from data provided by Council's licensed contractor and derived from Council's three annual collection and drop-off centres.
Council notes that:
- Oily waste water collection commenced in 2005-2006.
- Motor vehicle oils data is only available for 2007-2008, and the volume recorded for that period suggests under-recording.
- Data for household hazardous wastes that are placed in kerbside weekly bins is not recorded. Estimates of the volumes involved are only able to be estimated from household waste stream audits but unfortunately none were undertaken during this reporting period.
- Data concerning vehicle lead acid batteries dropped off at Council facilities is only available for the 2008 year of the reporting period.
- All hazardous waste collected is transported out of the Shire for treatment, recycling or disposal.
Under National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) licensing arrangements, the licensed contractor used by Council is required to comply with the NEPM for the collection, transportation and disposal of 'controlled' waste. Council has no control over these practices. The NEPM includes a list of Controlled Wastes that are subject to procedures for information collection and sharing between jurisdictions (see http://www.ephc.gov.au).
