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Waste management
Last updated August 2022
This chapter outlines your legal obligations to safely manage the handling, removal and receipt of waste.
What are your legal obligations to manage waste?
You have obligations to manage waste under:
- health and safety legislation; and
- environmental law.
Health and safety legislation
All organisations in every state and territory owe a duty of care under health and safety legislation to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, a safe working environment. This extends to the safe management of waste.
Important: Each organisation within the waste management chain must ensure they properly and safely manage waste in accordance with health and safety laws.
A number of organisations are involved in the waste chain, including:
- waste producers;
- waste transporters; and
- waste receivers.
Tip: The safe and efficient management of waste can not only result in a safer work environment but also cost savings from reduced waste production and decreased disposal costs.
Environmental law
Environmental legislation in each state and territory covers the management of waste where the waste results in pollution or contamination. These laws are laid out in the following table.