Australia – industrial residues: development of a national approach

The Australian Government has issued a consultation paper on industrial residues.



Some industrial residues are valuable for their soil conditioning and fertiliser properties, and by using them in this way they can contribute to the reduction of waste going to landfill. If appropriate reuse occurs, it may also facilitate government objectives in implementing improved waste management solutions to reduce the environmental impact of waste. There are, however, a number of factors which are currently inhibiting the potential reuse of many industrial residues. These include:



the absence of clear guidance on what information is needed to determine if industrial residues are fit for reuse the potential for chemical contaminants to have adverse effects on the environment, agriculture and human health limited research and the lack of knowledge in this area economic drivers such as transport and storage costs public concerns



The Industrial Residues Working Group, under the direction of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, have been investigating the need and scope for a possible national approach for the reuse and recycling of industrial wastes, focusing primarily on their application to land. The work has focused on those materials generated at industrial facilities (such as bauxite residues, steel slag and fly ash), which may be considered for use as a fertiliser, soil ameliorant, soil conditioner and/or soil stabiliser in agriculture.



The public discussion paper “Development of a national approach – principles and guidance for assessing the beneficial reuse of industrial residues to land management applications” aims to seek comment on the possible elements for a proposed national approach, particularly in regard to developing:



consistent criteria for determining whether a particular industrial residue is fit for reuse supporting information that would be needed from proponents so that a determination can be made on the reuse of an industrial residue material