PFAS in regulated waste
Consultation has concluded
Queenslanders are invited to have their say about a proposal to amend the threshold values (or levels) for per and polyflouroalkyl substances (PFAS) in regulated waste.
The consultation is open to community and industry stakeholders.
Consultation opened on Friday 30 August and closes at 5pm on Friday 27 September 2024.
Feedback from this consultation will be reviewed and will inform consideration about the proposal to amend the threshold values for PFAS in regulated waste.
How to participate in the consultation
- Read the consultation paper and/or the plain language fact sheet for more information about the proposed changes. As with many consultations of this type, the consultation paper is technical and was developed primarily for consultation with industry stakeholders. The fact sheet has been developed to help community understand the proposed changes.
- Complete online survey or email a written submission to OCE.policy@des.qld.gov.au by 5pm Friday 27 September 2024.
How to complete the online survey
- Set up an In the Loop account. Setting up an account helps protect the integrity of the survey process and the results.
- Once your account is set up (or if you already have one), log in and respond to the questions posed. You can save and return to the survey.
- Submit your response. Once submitted a copy of your response will be emailed to you.
PFAS management in Queensland
Queensland has led the nation in responding to PFAS risks, being the first state in Australia to begin phasing out PFAS firefighting foams, the first to regulate PFAS in biosolids, and the first to place PFAS limits on compost to ensure that Queenslanders and the environment are protected.
The Queensland Government is part of an Australian and international effort to respond to PFAS contamination and regularly reviews and updates advice and regulation to ensure that community health and safety and the environment is protected.
The department actively engages with industry and regulators across Australia to ensure that the regulation of PFAS in Queensland is consistent and reflects the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
The government is also working with state and federal counterparts to implement legislation to limit the use of PFAS in a range of products.
Read more about PFAS and its management in Queensland.
What are the proposed changes?
PFAS was introduced into the regulated waste provisions of the Environmental Protection Regulation in 2019.
At the time, any waste containing PFAS levels above zero was considered regulated waste. This was established as an interim measure, taking a precautionary approach until a greater understanding of the risks to environmental and human health was available. There is now a greater level of understanding of PFAS and its management.
The proposed changes would allow waste with very low levels of PFAS to no longer be categorised as regulated waste.
The proposed regulated waste thresholds for PFAS are considered to be extremely low. For example, in liquid waste the limit is one part per trillion or the equivalent of one drop of water in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools.
The proposed revised regulated waste thresholds for PFAS have been developed to minimise risks to both human health and the environment, and the proposed values take into account the potential for PFAS to accumulate in plants, animal products and aquatic organisms. The proposed values have been developed in line with the precautionary approach and intent of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) guidance on the management of PFAS. The proposed values are aligned with Queensland’s PFAS limits imposed for biosolids and compost that are designed to protect the environment and the community.
Amending the regulated PFAS level will provide greater management options for low-risk material, and reduce waste management costs, without causing risks to the community or the environment.
What is regulated waste?
Commercial or industrial waste containing certain hazardous contaminants or properties is classified as ‘regulated waste’.
Regulated waste:
- can include soil contaminated with hazardous substances including industrial waste, asbestos or chemicals such as solvents and pesticides, sludge from sewage treatment processes that may contain harmful substances or waste containing heavy metals like lead and mercury and oils.
- can come from healthcare and medical facilities, industries and manufacturing sectors, construction and demolition sites, agriculture, commercial businesses, sewage treatment plants, mining operations and the educational, research and transport sectors.
- is subject to more stringent management requirements than other waste as the hazardous contaminants or properties present a higher risk to the environment or human health.
- is sampled and tested for contaminants and categorised based on the concentration of these substances.
The regulated waste categories are used to identify and appropriately manage the waste based on the level of risk it poses.
Once regulated waste is assessed and treated, disposal or management occurs within strict environmental regulations.
Disposal or management of treated regulated waste can include containment at specialised landfills, incineration, chemical or biological treatment, recycling and resource recovery. Each method is subject to regulatory oversight to ensure treated regulated waste does not pose a risk to public health or the environment.
The method of disposal depends on the type of waste, its level of hazard after treatment and the availability of appropriate facilities.
Privacy statement
Why we request your personal information:
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) uses an online engagement platform to seek feedback on various issues and initiatives. We try to minimise the personal information collected, but we need your name and contact details to register you as a user, which allows you to complete surveys, be kept updated on projects, and to be notified of future activities (if you choose).
The platform we use is called ‘In the loop’, hosted by EngagementHQ, a third-party cloud-based service platform owned and operated by Granicus.
Other questions asking personal information in this survey are optional and you can skip them if you prefer.
All personal information gathered by DESI is treated in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009. For further details view the DESI privacy policy.
Please be aware that your de-identified response may be shared with other Queensland Government agencies and Australian Government agencies to help inform future policy developments. Personal information will not be shared.
