Waste Audit Australia

What is a Waste Assessment?
A waste assessment may be undertaken at a corporate or operating unit level to:

• determine the quantity and type of waste being generated; .
• measure performance against current waste plans and targets;
• identify areas of non-compliance;
• review efficiency of waste and recycling systems;
• identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency gains;
• identify potential areas of exposure and risk;
• measure performance against Best Practice.

What is a Waste Audit?
Waste Audits are undertaken to:

• establish baseline or benchmark data;.
• characterise and quantify the waste streams;
• verify waste pathways;
• identify source reduction opportunities;
• assess effectiveness of current systems to improve efficiency of waste management system;
• identify potential areas of exposure and risk;
• obtain detailed data on waste generation allowing more accurate product costing.

Waste Audit and Consultancy Services has completed waste audits for a wide variety of organisations tailored to meet different sector and client requirements. We have developed sophisticated data analysis techniques together with our own database of industry waste generation rates. Thus allowing benchmarking to be undertaken and opportunities identified.

What is a Waste Management Plan?

The Waste Management Plan is a formal document covering all waste streams. It is written within the framework of ISO/AS14001. This is a key element of the Environmental Management Plan or Environmental Management System (EMS) and the organisation’s risk management strategy.

Waste Management Plans are practical, living documents. They are designed to guide the organisation’s practices and to assist in ensuring compliance with legislation and monitor performance to targets.

Waste Audit and Consultancy Services has worked with a wide variety of public and private sector clients to develop detailed waste management and action plans to meet their environmental management needs.

How will my company benefit from a waste audit?

The principle is simple - When you know what you generate, how much you generate and where you generate it, you will manage waste cost-effectively and in a more environmentally friendly manner.

We already have recycling and reuse programs in place. How will additional assessment help?

Most companies are recycling primary recyclable materials (cardboard, paper, glass, aluminum cans) but very few know what percentage of this material they are capturing and how much is still making its way to landfill.

There may be markets for other materials in your waste stream if they are generated in quantities that can justify the cost of operating the program. Also, although there may be recycling programs in place, these may be inefficient or costly.

What is a DA (Development Application)?

A Development Application (DA) is required for all 'development' and is an application made to local council for consent to carry out development such as demolition, extensions, subdivision, construction and possibly renovation. For example, in the City of Sydney, Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, 'development' is defined as: 

• the use of land;
• the subdivision of land;
• the errection of buildings;
• the carrying out of work;
• the demolition; or
• any other matter controlled by an environmental planning instrument.

 How do I know if I need a DA (Development Application)?

The exact requirements for DA are dictated by each local council. That means that your “development” in one location may need one, while an identical “development” in a different location may not. The only way to be sure is to contact your own local council. Some of the general stipulations councils use to determine whether you need an application include:

• Zoning regulations – your local council is divided into zones such as residential or business. Different regulations for factors such as building height apply to each different zone;
• The council’s Local Environment Plan – establishes what forms of development and land use are permitted in a council area. Different types of development will be permitted in different zones;
• Development Control Plans and land use regulations – these provide additional information and guidelines to the Local Environment Plan on development and land use;
• Visual impact of development – will the development change the look of the area or streetscape? Will it be an eyesore?
• Impact on adjoining property – how will the development affect the neighbours?

Many local councils will have information online detailing their guidelines but it may be worthwhile organising a meeting with a council member. They will tell you:

• Specific planning controls as stipulated by the above points (they will have a long term plan that considers factors such as streetscape, fire hazards, drainage, erosion, waste management, wildlife and sustainability)
• Whether you meet the criteria to be exempt from development consent (it’s still worthwhile notifying the council of your proposed work anyway);
• Whether you meet the criteria requiring development approval;
• Whether you meet the criteria requiring involvement at a higher level due to wider social, economic or environmental impact;
• Whether you are prohibited from development;