‘Special waste’ is a class of waste that has unique regulatory requirements. The potential environmental impacts of special waste need to be managed to minimise the risk of harm to the environment and human health.
Special waste means any of the following:
- asbestos waste
- clinical and related waste
- waste tyres.
Generators of special waste (except asbestos mixed with other waste) do not need to make any further assessment of their waste if it falls within the definitions of special wastes below.
Note: Where asbestos is mixed with other waste to form asbestos waste, the generator must continue to assess the waste in accordance with the remainder of the steps in the waste classification guidelines (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/08202classifyingwaste.pdf)
Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at a waste facility that can lawfully receive asbestos and the other class of waste with which it is mixed (if any).
The EPA may classify additional wastes as special waste from time to time by a notice published in the NSW Government Gazette. All currently gazetted special wastes are listed on DECCW’s website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/wastetypes.htm.
Asbestos waste
Asbestos means the fibrous form of those mineral silicates that belong to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite, amosite (brown asbestos), anthophyllite, chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos) and tremolite.
Australian Enviro Services specialise in asbestos removal in Sydney and contaminated site remediation.
Asbestos waste means any waste that contains asbestos.
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Clinical and related waste
Clinical and related waste means:
- clinical waste, or
- cytotoxic waste, or
- pharmaceutical, drug or medicine waste, or
- sharps waste.
Clinical waste means any waste resulting from medical, nursing, dental, pharmaceutical, skin penetration or other related clinical activity, being waste that has the potential to cause injury,infection or offence, and includes waste containing any of the following:
- human tissue (other than hair, teeth and nails)
- bulk body fluids or blood
- visibly blood-stained body fluids, materials or equipment
- laboratory specimens or cultures
- animal tissue, carcasses or other waste from animals used for medical research
- but does not include any such waste that has been treated by a method approved in writing by the Director-General of the Department of Health.
Cytotoxic waste means any substance contaminated with any residues or preparations that contain materials that are toxic to cells principally through their action on cell reproduction.
Pharmaceutical, drug or medicine waste means waste that has been generated by activities carried out for business or other commercial purposes and that consists of pharmaceutical or other chemical substances specified in the Poisons List made under section 8 of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966. Waste Classification Guidelines Part 1: Classifying waste (December 2009) 5
It does not include pharmaceutical, drug or medicine waste generated in the home.
Sharps waste means any waste collected from designated sharps waste containers used in the course of business, commercial or community service activities, being waste resulting from the use of sharps for any of the following purposes:
- human health care by health professionals and other health care providers
- medical research or work on cadavers
- veterinary care or veterinary research
- skin penetration or the injection of drugs or other substances for medical or non-medical
reasons - but does not include waste that has been treated on the site where it was generated, and to a
standard specified in an EPA gazettal notice.
Sharps means those things:
- that have sharp points or edges capable of cutting, piercing or penetrating the skin (such as needles, syringes with needles or surgical instruments), and
- that are designed for the purpose of cutting, piercing or penetrating the skin, and
- that have the potential to cause injury or infection.
Waste tyres
Waste tyres means used, rejected or unwanted tyres, including shredded tyres or tyre pieces.
Note: Waste tyres must be tracked when transported interstate but not when transported within NSW.
Source: Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water NSW
Waste Classification Guidelines Part 1: Classifying Waste
If you need asbestos removed, contact Australian Enviro Services.
