NSW EPA to end agricultural use of mixed waste organic material
Following comprehensive independent studies, the NSW EPA is stopping the restricted use of mixed waste organic material on agricultural land, and is ceasing use on plantation forests and mining rehabilitation land until further controls can be considered.
Mixed waste organic material (the material) is predominantly made from the organics in general household (red-lid bin) waste.
Application on agricultural land will cease from Friday 26 October and use on plantation forests and mining rehabilitation land will be suspended until further controls can be considered.
NSW EPA Acting Chair and CEO Anissa Levy said there was a robust scientific basis for the EPA’s decision to stop the use of the material.
“The restricted use of the mixed waste organic material had been permitted on the basis that it provided beneficial reuse of waste. Extensive independent research commissioned by the EPA found that it no longer passed that test,” Ms Levy said.
“The research found there were limited agricultural benefits from the application of mixed waste organic material at the regulated maximum levels of application, but there were potential risks to the environment from the presence of some contaminants, such as small pieces of plastic and glass, as well as concerns about soil quality degradation.
“As a result, the NSW EPA is revoking the Resource Recovery Exemption and Order, which are the regulatory instruments that permitted the material to be applied to specific land uses.
“As part of the EPA’s regulatory role, we commissioned an independent assessment of possible health risks related to the use of this product on agricultural land. The assessment used very cautious assumptions to estimate how much exposure a person might have to chemicals present in the material.
“Based on a review of the findings of this health risk assessment the use of mixed waste organic material on agricultural land is unlikely to present any health risk to the general public.”
The NSW Food Authority and NSW Health have reviewed the initial findings of the health risk assessment and expert scientific advice, and further work is being done, overseen by an independent panel formed by the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer. This is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The EPA is contacting all councils affected by the change to their waste management services and all landholders who have previously used the material to let them know, and to support them as they manage these changes.
