Clearly, this is a very important question jolasers. The answer depends on what you’re disposing of, where you are, and what resources you can access. While this may seem like a slap on the face, it’s actually true. Waste disposal rules vary between states and countries. How to dispose of contaminated waste and workplace spills?

Your waste disposal policy must include waste classification. DECC (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water), or now Office of Environment and Heritage, lays out waste classification guidelines in a variety of documents. (Most of these can be found on the internet). In 2009 Australian authorities shifted away from USEPA’s (United States EPA), as a standard test method, and changed testing for waste disposal and classification.

USEPA9095 is a Test Method, not a Standard. NSW EPA used it to show that the most basic of tests could be done and that they would be accepted as a way to prove liquids won’t be re-released by the waste itself. It is not a Standard but a Method. This means that anyone can manipulate it to make their product pass. Many do. In 2009 NSW EPA removed this example but still required testing.

Waste is more than just waste. The different types of waste are disposed of according to the state laws, the local regulations and the guidelines of the environmental authority. The Office of Environment & Heritage has six different waste classifications. The six waste classes are: special waste, liquid, hazardous, restricted, solid, and general (non putrescible).