Waste management
The law and regulations back up policies to reduce, reuse and recycle waste with a view to minimising waste going to landfill. The law sets up Regional Waste Boards to identify the range of minimisation, collection, reprocessing and disposal services needed in different regions. It promotes greater industry responsibility for waste reduction through Industry Waste Reduction Plans and a Producer Responsibility Scheme. The regulations also require nominated waste activities, waste facilities and transporters to be licensed. In addition, the law says that it is an offence to transport waste to, deliver it to or accept it at a place that cannot lawfully be used as a waste facility.
Noise pollution
Regulations limit the noise that machines and accessories can lawfully emit. Noisy plant must be maintained and operated in a proper and efficient manner.
Hazardous materials
There are special regulations for businesses that use, store, transport or sell:
・dangerous goods (Dangerous Goods Act 1975； Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1997)
・ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and halons (Ozone Protection Act 1989)
・hazardous chemicals or wastes (Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985; Contaminated land Management Act 1997).
Duty to notify pollution incidents
If Pollution occurs when you are doing something and it threatens or harms the environment, you must tell the EFA or the local council as soon as you can after you become aware of it. This duty extends to employees and employers, occupiers and contractors.
Who 'polices' environmental law?
｡¬he NSW EPA regulates large industries through licences, notices and prosecutions.
｡?ocal councils regulate smaller businesses and industries through planning controls, notices and prosecutions. From 1998, local councils have increased powers under the POEO Act in relation to environmental management in their local area, including commercial and industrial customers that are not licensed by the EPA. Local councils are becoming increasingly active in this area, allocating more resources (officers and funds) to environmental management. In general, local councils are the primary environmental regulators for small and medium enterprises.
｡?or small business, both local councils and the EPA have powers to enter premises and issue clean-up notices in relation to pollution incidents. Councils may also issue prevention notices for activities being done in an environmentally unsatisfactory manner.
