Storage & stockpiling

The EPA has developed a guideline document, Guideline for stockpile management: Waste and waste derived products for recycling and reuse, on requirements for the management of potential risks associated with stockpiling and storage of various wastes and waste derived materials.

Sections in the guideline

1. Introduction
2. Application of the guideline – Legislation
3. Potential risks and impacts
4. Assessment and management of requirements:

   (a) Waste type: potential emissions and risks
   (b) Site and surroundings
   (c) Dimensions
   (d) Stability
   (e) Materials flow and management
   (f) Markets and timeframes
   (g) Community consultation

Appendix 1 – Risks associated with stockpiling of materials
Appendix 2 – Definitions
Appendix 3 – Further guidelines and information

In addition to the guideline, a brochure, Stockpiling waste and waste derived products, can be downloaded for more information.

Key concepts of stockpiling

• Storage should be temporary and for a specific purpose.
• Stockpiling should only occur for materials that have a immediate market; materials cannot be stockpiled in hope there will become a market for them.
• Stockpiling should be conducted with materials flow and site capacity in mind. As such there should not be continual growth but instead a systematic flow of materials input, processing, output, storage and removal.
• Waste must be managed to prevent harm to the environment and human health.

The Environment Protection (Waste to Resources) Policy 2010 (W2R EPP) contains requirements of how waste must be disposed and penalties for illegal dumping. Stockpiling may be considered disposal.

Stockpiling at licensed sites

• South Australian waste and recycling sites are licensed by the EPA enabling appropriate risk management, including those posed by stockpiles, through licence conditions.
• The new powers obtained through the Environment Protection (Waste Reform) Amendment Act 2017 enable material circulation risks posed by stockpiling to be managed in addition to environmental risks. Maximum allowable stockpile limits may be imposed or varied at any time.
• Selected facilities already have explicit stockpiling limits in place to minimise fire risks or other risks while others have broader conditions to manage site risks, such as undercover storage and bunding requirements.
• Stockpiling controls will be tailored to each site, having regard to a range of matters, including the character of materials, the character of the receiving environment and market scale and availability, including the implications arising from China’s National Sword policies and the need to maintain the integrity of materials for recycling.