Waste ManagementTip HoursAvoca Waste Transfer Station NEW HOURS OF OPENING as of 1 July 08 Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm; Evandale Waste Transfer Station Tuesday 1pm - 5pm; Longford Waste Transfer Station Monday 1pm - 5pm; FAQDISCLAIMER Welcome to the Waste Management section of the Northern Midlands Council website. We have endeavoured to include all information relating to the queries you might have on waste management here. If you have queries in relation to our kerbside collection services for general garbage and recyclables please click here. (Council to insert link to waste collection template) We hope this section will be helpful. If there's anything else with which we can be of assistance please e-mail us on Council@northmidlands.tas.gov.au FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is waste management? Waste management is an area of core business for councils. It encompasses all activities and services that revolve around collecting, disposing and reducing waste. In dealing with waste management, council uses the most effective technologies and methods available while also striving to protect the environment and public health. All Tasmanian councils run some form of garbage collection and recycling services and operate waste transfer stations and/or landfill sites. The Northern Midlands Council runs waste transfer stations at:
In southern Tasmania, waste management activities are promoted by the Southern Waste Strategy Authority. This authority involves twelve southern Tasmanian Councils and works to implement a Waste Management Strategy for Southern Tasmania. Details of the Authority's Business Plan and Waste Management Programs are available. In the north, Northern Tasmania Development involves 8 northern councils and has developed a waste management strategy. The Northern Midlands Council is an active member of regionnorth! Both bodies runs a number of programs and educational activities focused on:
In northern Tasmania the region has developed a Regional Waste Management Strategy which also covers the Northern Midlands. This strategy addresses issues such as public education, 'best practice' models for the delivery of kerbside garbage & recycling collection and green waste disposal. 2. What legislation governs waste management? Waste management activities by councils are generally controlled by three main pieces of legislation:
The Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA) deals with pollution issues and under Section 20(a) requires councils to prevent or control pollution. Under Section 44 it allows councils to issue Environmental Protection Notices (EPN) and to ensure businesses or activities do not cause environmental harm. Environmental harm is defined as 'any adverse effect on the environment.' EMPCA defines three levels of environmental harm:
EMPCA also governs most of the State Government's activities in relation to waste management. The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) looks after waste and recycling and their web site has some very good information. The Local Government Act 1993 is the main piece of legislation that controls how councils operate and what functions and roles they must perform. Section 20 details the functions and powers of councils. Section 93(1)(d) allows councils to set a service rate for garbage removal, while Sections 145 to 174 allow councils to make by-laws and set out the procedures for doing so. Section 199 to 204 allow councils to take action against a person that may be causing a 'nuisance.' 'Nuisance' is defined as anything that is likely to cause danger or harm to the health, safety or welfare of anyone, or unreasonable or excessive levels of noise or pollution. The Litter Act 1973 authorises council officers to take action against persons found to be littering and describes actions that can be taken and penalties that may apply. More detailed but easy to read information about environmental laws in general can be found in 'The Environmental Law Handbook - Your Practical Guide to Tasmania's Environmental Protection and Planning Laws' 2nd edition, produced by the Environmental Defenders Office (Tas) Inc. (EDO). It is available from most major bookstores or contact the EDO directly on Ph: 6223 2770, email: edotas@trump.net.au. 3. Where are my local waste transfer stations and when are they open? The Northern Midlands Council operates four waste transfer stations. These are located at:
As from 1 May 2004 cardboard is no longer accepted as recycling at the Waste Transfer Stations. Cardboard if now treated as refuse and a cost for disposal applies. As from 1 May 2004 a recycling charge of 50c per 50 litres applies Council waste transfer stations must meet the requirements of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 and associated regulations as well as the Public Health Act 1997. They also provide convenient disposal facilities to households, businesses and industry. DPIWE has published a number of guidelines on how waste transfer stations should be operated. 4. What are the charges at the waste disposal sites?
5. What items can I recycle and where do I take them? The Northern Midlands Council recycles a range of materials at its Longford, Evandale and Campbell Town Waste Transfer Stations. Residents can dispose of recyclables at these waste transfer stations or use the kerbside recycling service. Items that can be recycled at these centres are:
Items that cannot be collected as part of the kerbside recyclables collection service include:
If you have any queries regarding the recycling service please contact the Council's Technical Services Department on 6397 7303. In addition to the kerbside collection service a number of recycling businesses operate in the area. Information about these businesses, including contact details, can be found in the Tasmanian Waste Recovery and Recycling directory on the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) website. This directory lists all the recycling businesses in the State by the type of material they collect. Information about drop off points for recyclable materials in each council area is also included. 6. What is regarded as acceptable and non-acceptable waste? Generally, acceptable waste includes:
If you have a query regarding what can be accepted contact the Council's Technical Services Department on 6397 7303 Generally, non-acceptable waste includes: Controlled Waste - defined as any waste with a hazardous characteristic that has special controls on the method of disposal and may endanger public health or the environment. Typically, such waste may be derived from plant and animal processing or industrial and chemical waste, especially if such waste has the potential to be toxic, corrosive or explosive.
7. What can I do with non-acceptable waste? There are two main landfill sites licensed to take Controlled or non-acceptable waste. These are Port Latta in the North West, and Dulverton in the North. In the south the Hobart City Council site at McRobies Gully can take limited Controlled Waste such as some medical waste and quarantine waste. In the north, the Launceston City Council site at Remount Road can take small and limited quantities of controlled waste. It is always wise to contact the waste management officers at the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment to ask their advise before you dispose of any Controlled Waste or if you are unsure if your waste is considered 'Controlled Waste' or not. A number of waste removal businesses licensed to remove such waste operate around the State. Contact details for these businesses are listed in the Yellow Pages under Waste Reduction and Disposal Services. 8. What can I do with empty chemical containers? drumMUSTER is the national program for the collection and recycling of empty, cleaned, non-returnable, crop production and on-farm animal health chemical containers. The Northern Midlands Council acts as a collection agency for these containers at the Longford and Campbell Town Waste Transfer Stations, but only on Wednesday between 1.00pm and 5.00pm and Tuesday between 8.30am and 11.00am respectively. The containers must be:
This should be done immediately after emptying the container, before any residue has a chance to dry and harden. Further information is available on the safe disposal of chemicals or from the site attendants on the drumMUSTER empty chemical container program. 9. How should I store chemicals?
When using chemicals read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid direct contact with skin - wear gloves and protective clothing. 10. How can I reduce the amount of waste I produce? Waste can be reduced by:
It is estimated that garden and food waste accounts for over 50% of household waste. Mulching and composting can make a significant difference in reducing such waste. Using mulch and compost in the garden have the added benefits of boosting soil fertility and conserving soil moisture. Green Waste Green waste means grass clippings, leaves and also tree prunings. Green waste is collected at waste transfer stations and landfill sites and is converted to mulch. When leaving green waste at such centres, it is important to ensure it does not have other general garbage mixed with it. Home Composting Home composting is a good way to significantly reduce your household waste. When composted, food waste and garden clippings decompose to make a great mulch for your garden. You can either make your own compost heap in a shady part of your garden or use a compost bin. Compost bins can be purchased at most hardware stores. Items that can be added to compost include:
The compost should be added in layers, with a layer of food scraps ideally being covered with a layer of grass clippings or leaves. The following items are not suitable for composting:
The compost needs moisture and air to decompose effectively. To achieve this, turn it regularly and make sure it is always kept reasonably moist, without being waterlogged. Worm Farms Worm farms are another way to reduce food and garden waste. Worm castings that result from the worm's decomposition of waste, also make an excellent soil conditioner for your garden. As with compost heaps, a worm farm should be placed in a cool and shady part of the garden. The worms need:
This pH level can usually be achieved quite easily by ensuring a layer of green waste or moist paper or cardboard is regularly added with the food waste. Ensure that paper waste is not bleached or contaminated with any chemicals. Newspapers and cardboard from food packaging are ideal. Most hardware stores and garden centres sell worm farms and worms and will give you advice about how to look after them. 11. What can I do with liquid (trade) wastes? If you are not in a reticulated sewerage area, most household waste is disposed of via the sewerage or waste water systems, or via septic tanks. However, grease, oils, solvents and chemicals (basically anything except human sewage) should not be put directly into such systems. If you operate a business that produces quantities of such materials and they are discharged directly into the sewer, they can:
Such waste is often called trade waste and depending on the type of waste in question, council requires such waste to be managed through grease traps, holding tanks or oil and silt traps. Often council requires an industry operator to enter into a Trade Waste Agreement or obtain a Permit that details what the business is allowed to discharge to the sewer and under what terms and conditions. Also, trade waste charges that council often imposes on businesses depend on the volume and type of waste being discharged. Please contact the Council's Technical Services Department for any further information regarding requirements in relation to discharging trade waste to the sewer. Council obligations in dealing with liquid waste are generally specified under The Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA). EMPCA requires the disposal of liquid waste in a way that does not cause environmental harm. Normal domestic waste is disposed of via a council's sewerage system or via septic tanks in unsewered areas. In recent years biocycle systems or little mini sewerage treatment plants have been approved for areas unsuitable for the conventional septic tank. Council responsibilities for liquid waste disposal are detailed in the Sewers and Drains Act 1954 and the Plumbing Regulations 1994 The Sewers and Drains Act describes the type of matter that can be discharged into a sewer system while the Plumbing Regulations control more detailed activities councils can undertake to manage and maintain the sewerage system, including the use of trade waste permits. Schedule 3 of the Plumbing Regulations lists substances that cannot be discharged into the sewer and include any materials that might cause harm to the sewerage treatment plant or to the waters receiving the waste. The following specific substances are listed:
Schedule 4 of the Plumbing Regulations sets the standards for liquid trade wastes that can be discharged to sewers. Breach of these regulations incurs:
These standards and penalties vary under sub regulation (2) of the Plumbing Regulations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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