Legislation in Australia for Managing Wastes - Coursework Example

WASTE MANAGEMENT - 1 Waste Management Order ID – 434935 Introduction Waste Management has always been a perennial problem faced in our contemporary society and steps to remedy the situation seems a far cry. Though Science and Technology have improved at an increasing pace, yet solutions to solving the management of waste has been paid little or no attention. In fact, the 21st century is facing major economic concerns and environmental issues where disposal of garbage is concerned. Producing and disposing garbage is an everyday activity and hence it is taken for granted that it is not one of importance. But quite contrary to this assumption is that the disposal of garbage, if not carried out in the right manner, has a far – reaching impact for the worse, on our environment. This is one issue that cannot be taken lightly and needs our explicit attention. In this essay we would be discussing the aspect of legislation in waste management. WASTE MANAGEMENT - 2 Qs. The current legislation in Australia for managing wastes is effective – discuss. There is no single definition for wastes, but we could say that it is something that we do not need and so we try to dispose it. Wastes come in different forms of solid, liquid and gases that comprise of Human and animal wastes, pollutants from factories and transport that impacts on our environment and triggers other social issues which further affect our society, thus increasing its chances of deterioration. (Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines, 2013) In order to decrease the bad impact wastes have on society, the Government has come out with legislation that keeps the adverse effects to the minimum. Legislation helps to keep waste management under control and thereby caters to a cleaner environment. Caring for the environment helps to keep disease causing germs under control and creating a cleaner and safer environment and this should be considered as a social responsibility of every citizen. Australia is one country that gives priority to its legislation on keeping the environment clean and has taken a lot of initiative where management of waste is concerned. Australia’s legislation regarding wastes comprises of two compartments. 1) Direct Source which comprises of State EPA and the Local Government and 2) Indirect Source comprising of other departments of the State such as Department of Health and other Commonwealth Agencies. The country has the biggest waste and recycling program called ‘The Waste Less, Recycle More’ which is a five year initiative plan headed by the WASTE MANAGEMENT - 3 EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) that entails millions of dollars. This initiative, besides stimulating investment infrastructure, contributes towards combating the illegal littering and dumping of garbage. Statistics in the year 2010 show that approximately 2,719 organizations provided waste management services in Australia. Out of these, 2172 belonged to the private and public sector while 547 came under the Government sector. (Year Book, Australia, 2010) The EPA was amended in 2002 to allow flexibility and scope for developing waste management policies (WMP’s) while doing away with the existing framework. These WMP’s cover the complete cycle of wastes, from the time it is generated to the time it is disposed, treated, recycled and used. (EPA, Victoria, 2002) Some of the important initiatives undertaken by the Australian Government are discussed below. The EPA works in close tandem with other organizations that also seek in keeping the environment clean. For example, the EPA works closely with the NSW Environmental Trust who lends support through Grant Programs and help communities to reduce wastes by recycling garbage. Some of these grants are used by councils to provide sophisticated collection services for organic wastes for households through the Local Government Organics Collections Systems. In addition to this, Community Recycling Centres are constructed with modern infrastructure and equipment which are made use of for WASTE MANAGEMENT - 4 recycling problem wastes and carrying out research for innovative solutions and updating existing facilities. The EPA also works closely with different Councils, non- profit organizations and other private business people through their Resource Recovery Facility Expansion and Enhancement Grant for wastes that are produced in levy paying regions. Besides this, the EPA has grants set aside for the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste initiative that supports the avoidance of food wastage through education and social awareness that is carried out by various community groups and non- profit organizations. Community Organizations, Local Councils and Land Managers also take part in the EPA’s Illegal Dumping Program that helps to identify local dumping areas and implement clean – up and protection through prevention. While some of the wastes can be recycled and made use of such as organic wastes, there are some hazardous wastes that cannot be recycled and used again. Such wastes include plastic, glass and chemical and industrial wastes that have an adverse impact on our environment unless it is disposed off in the right manner. It is very important to understand the various legislative requirements necessary for waste management, so that we can follow the rules in a better manner while fulfilling our duties as reliable citizens. In these contemporary times, legislation is based on performance for better outcomes. Legislation combined with the latest technology serves to meet the requirement while benefiting those who adhere to it. The Hazardous Waste Act Permits are used when wastes have to be imported or exported from one region to another. WASTE MANAGEMENT - 5 Different permits are required for moving wastes and it largely depends on which country is making use of the service. (Hazardous Waste section, Australia) The WMP which is also covered by legislation is a complete plan that serves to attend to all aspects of waste management. The primary aim of the WMP is to protect the common man against harmful substances and diseases by providing a safe environment that keeps them safe and healthy. The chief duty of the WMP is to minimize wastes and to identify solutions for the treatment and disposal of wastes. Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) The National Waste Policy of Australia has taken steps to usher in an environmentally responsible and highly efficient approach for the management of wastes. In November 2009, all the environmental ministers agreed to the legislation of the policy that would take care of all the areas of waste management up to the year 2020. However, it is a fact, that waste generation keeps on increasing at an alarming rate and increased efforts involving recycling and reusing seems to be lagging behind. One of the chief reasons for this is that the nature of waste has become more complex and hence new methods have to be brought in to keep pace with it. Except for radioactive wastes, all other wastes relating to commercial, industrial and organic are covered under the National Waste Policy. In implementing this legislative policy there are six key areas that are beneficial for the whole community. These are as WASTE MANAGEMENT - 6 follows – 1) Sharing responsibility in the supply – consumption chain, 2) Increase in market efficiency by making use of technology and innovation, 3) Continued sustainability that brings about social and economic benefits to the community, 4) Reduction of hazardous materials through safe disposal and recovery, 5) Tailor made solutions that suit different communities and 6) Accurate information and data to gauge the progress and bring about awareness and change in the society. (Australia’s National Waste Policy, web, 2013) The National Waste Policy legislation of Australia covers sixteen strategies that form a framework or guide for waste management in the country in an attempt to streamline the whole process by recycling and reusing materials and reducing the emission of hazardous gases which in turn helps to raise the standard of life of its citizens. Some of these strategies include classification of wastes, sustainable recovery and reuse of wastes, better packaging, continued research for new and improved methods of disposal and increasing the health benefits of every individual. In 2007, the Western Australian Parliament had passed legislation through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WARR) Act (Gazette No. 96) and the WARR Levy Act (Gazette No. 97) and these legislations were given Royal Assent by its Governor and came into effect in 2008. In addition to these, legislation included the Landfill Levy Regulation Administration Policy which provides a summary on landfill levying of taxes from licensed metropolitan landfills in that region as well as the landfills that do not WASTE MANAGEMENT - 7 come under the metropolitan region. SITA Australia is Australia’s leader that provides solutions for waste management through their resource and recovery methods covering over a 100 landfill sites in different regions of Australia. Their sophisticated methods of waste collection, recovery and recycling services enhance sustainability and seamless service. (SITA Australia, web, 2013) Mismanagement of wastes through poor methods of retrieval, treatment and disposal leads to short term risks and could be life threatening if they are long term due to dangers arising from wastes like chemicals etc. and therefore total environmental planning is highly essential. (Hosetti, B.B, 2006) Conclusion Wastes are inevitable because it is an integral part of our daily activity. However, if awareness is brought in, then there would definitely be a major change in people’s attitudes and practices. This positive attitude towards keeping the environment clean would serve to keep the people living in it, healthy and free from diseases. Through legislation, the Government is doing its best to implement the latest methods of waste disposal and therefore every citizen should support the efforts taken by the Government through its legislation by adhering to its rules and regulations. References Australia’s National Waste Policy. Less Waste, more Resources. Australian Government. Department of the Environment. Retrieved from web on 11th Dec. 2013 www.environment.gov.au/topics/environmen Hazardous Waste Act Permits/ Australia. Retrieved on 14th Dec, 2013 www.australia.gov.au/service/hazardous-waste-act-permits Hosetti B.B (2006) Prospects and Perspectives of Solid Waste Management. New Age International Publishers. P. 216 www.books.google.com/books Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines. Web, Retrieved on 9th Dec. 2013 http://www.epa.vic.gov.ai/ Legislation Wastes Authority. (WA) Retrieved on Dec. 12th 2013 www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/about/legislation/ SITA Australia – Resource, Recovery, Recycling and Waste Management., web, 2013 www.sita.com.au Victoria – EPA, web, retrieved on Dec. 12th, 2013 http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ Waste Management Policies – EPA Victoria, web, retrieved on Dec. 12th, 2013 www.epa.vic.gov.au/.../legislation/waste-legislation/waste-mana Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) Web, retrieved on 9th Dec. 2013 www.wmaa.asn.au Waste Management – Year Book, Australia, 2012 www.abs.gov.au Read More