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Sustaining our environment

Waste management

What should you know about waste management?

The Environmental Guidelines: Assessment, Classification, and Management of Liquid and Non-Liquid Wastes is the principal reference for the requirements of waste management in New South Wales. You should consult these Waste Guidelines to determine the classification of, and the subsequent transport and disposal requirements for, your waste.

In NSW there are different waste classifications depending on the waste type. Non-liquid waste may be classified as inert, solid, industrial or hazardous. Liquid waste may be classified as hazardous, Group A, Group B, Group C or non-controlled aqueous waste. These classifications determine the requirements for transport and disposal of waste.

Product packaging and labels can help you determine the chemical composition and properties of the products. The labelling may also tell you the properties of a waste and its contaminants.

In NSW it is the primary responsibility of the waste generator (the painter) to:

classify the wastes properly;
use a licensed transporter (if necessary for the waste classification);
ensure that wastes is being sent to a facility that can lawfully take it; and
keep all waste collection receipts.

You must use a licensed transporter if more than 200 kg per load of hazardous, industrial, Group A, Group B, or Group C waste is transported for a fee. A transporting licence is not needed if you or your employees transport the waste yourselves.

If the waste is hazardous, industrial, or Group A waste, you must obtain a consignment authorisation number from the waste facility or mobile waste processor used. Complete a Waste Data Form and give a copy to the person transporting the waste. You must keep the completed Waste Data Form for at least 3 years. Download the Waste Data Form or contact DECC Environment Line on 131 155 for more information.

Options for dealing with solid and liquid waste

The following options are based on likely or typical classifications for the paint wastes. If you mix waste types and contaminants the classification will change. For example, if you add some solvent washings to a container of water washings, the waste classification could become Group A or hazardous waste.

Dry paint (water or solvent-based)

Dried paint waste (either water- or solvent-based) is likely to be classified as solid waste unless it has toxic contaminants such as lead.

Dry lead paint (or paint mixed with other toxic contmainants) from commercial or industrial premises is potentially industrial or hazardous waste depending on the concentration of lead. It needs to be assessed and classified. Sometimes, dry lead paint or soil contaminated with lead paint from homes, schools or preschools may be classified as solid waste. If you are unsure, it should be assessed and classified.

Correct disposal of the different types of dried paint is important:

For solid waste (e.g. dry bulk paint mixed with paper, cardboard etc) it can be disposed of into rubbish bins or skips for final disposal to landfill (make sure the landfill is licensed and/or lawfully able to receive waste with this classification).
If the dried paint waste is classified as industrial or hazardous waste, follow DECC's requirements for handling and disposal. Explore all available treatment, recycling and reuse options.

Liquid paint (water or solvent-based)

Solvent-based paint can be flammable (Dangerous Goods) and therefore may be classified as hazardous waste.

Otherwise, liquid paint (including water-based paint) would generally be classified as Group A waste.

It is illegal to dispose of any waste liquid into open waters, the stormwater system (e.g. drains, gutters or pits), the sewer or landfill. This is likely to result in pollution and could result in a fine or prosecution under the POEO Act.
Save the paint for the next job or find someone who can use it.
Send the paint to a licensed liquid waste treatment facility.
Paint solids can be scraped and wiped out of the bottom of the container onto cloth or shredded paper in a cardboard box, and allowed to dry out before being disposed of to landfill.

Water washings

These are likely to be Group A waste:

It is illegal to dispose of any waste liquid into open waters or the stormwater system (e.g. drains, gutters or pits).
The washings may be discharged into the sewer subject to a Trade Waste Agreement with the local sewerage authority or council. If the sewerage authority prohibits this, dispose of the washings by other acceptable methods, such as sending them to a liquid waste treatment facility.
Send washings to a licensed liquid waste treatment facility.

On-site treatment

Allow paint solids to settle out of paint washings until the clear liquid layer above can be decanted. You can make the paint settle faster by stirring in a flocculating agent such as alum (ferrous aluminium sulphate). The drum can then be rinsed out with wash water, say from the middle washing drum, and drained back into the same drum, before being returned to the line of washing drums.

Off-site treatment

Empty each drum of water washings into an intermediate bulk container. When the container is full or the project is complete, send the contents to a licensed treatment plant or waste facility that can legally receive this type of Group A waste.

Obtain an official record (clause 16 of the POEO Waste Regulation) from the waste facility showing the actual quantity disposed of. You will need to fill in a Waste Data Form and get a consignment number. These records must be filed and kept on the site of the project. You must maintain a register of all deliveries and keep copies of all dockets received from the waste disposal facility.

Solvent washings

Solvent washings can be flammable (Dangerous Goods) and therefore be classified as hazardous waste. Commonly used industrial solvents are Dangerous Goods.

A solvent-water mixture with more than 20% solvent and which is not flammable is regarded as non-aqueous (non-water-based) and is classified as Group A waste.

It is illegal to dispose of any waste liquid into open waters or the stormwater system (e.g. drains, gutters or pits).
Separate the paint solids and decant the solvent for reuse.
Very diluted solvent washings may be discharged into the sewer subject to a Trade Waste Agreement with the local sewerage authority or council.
Send solvent washings to a solvent recycler or licensed liquid waste treatment facility.

On-site treatment

Separating the solvent from the paint means it can be used for cleaning other jobs and will reduce both the purchase costs and the disposal costs.

Allow paint solids to settle out of paint washings until the clear liquid layer above can be decanted into another drum for storage and reuse. The drum can then be rinsed out with wash solvent, say from the middle washing drum, and drained back into the same drum, before being returned to the line of washing drums.

The waste solvent can be further processed in several ways. The following methods are listed in order of quickest but least effective to slowest but most effective:

Pour it through a fine filter (e.g. nylon or metal gauze or filter paper) to remove coarse solids such as leftover traces of paint.
Place one end of a capillary absorption rope in the wash solvent to be recycled and the other end in a receiving drum situated at a lower level. This allows the solvent to be partially decontaminated during its transfer by capillary action via the rope.
Trickle it through a drum packed with an adsorption filter medium such as activated charcoal or crushed burnt animal bones, which allows partial decontamination.
Allow the drum of wash solvent to stand loosely lidded in a still, cool place until the paint binder dissolved in the solvent has fully reacted or oxidised and has settled out as a sticky gel or paste, then decant the clarified solvent for reuse.

Off-site treatment

Empty each drum of solvent washings into an intermediate bulk container. When the container is full or the project is complete, send the contents to a licensed treatment plant or waste facility that can legally receive this type of Group A or hazardous waste.

Other paint wastes

Paint cans

If empty and dry, they may be classified as solid waste.

The best way to deal with used paint cans is to recycle them. Steel paint cans can be recycled in NSW through many local kerbside collection services. Or they may need to be taken to a local drop-off centre or waste transfer station. The cans must be empty and dry and have lids off.
Alternatively, paint cans (dry and punctured) can be landfilled. Make sure the landfill is licensed.

Aerosol cans

Empty aerosol cans remain Dangerous Goods because of the residual compressed gas they contain. These are classified as hazardous waste.

Do not send to landfill.
They can be recycled through kerbside recycling services in some local government areas. Or they may need to be taken to a local drop-off centre or waste transfer station.

Brushes, rollers, rags, trays

Provided they are dry, these items may be classified as solid waste.

They may be disposed off into rubbish bins or skips for final disposal to landfill (make sure the landfill is licensed).

Minimise the paint you use and save $$$

Store leftover paint upside down so that a tight airproof seal is created (it can last for several years this way).
Blend and mix small quantities of similar colours of water-based paint and use it as a primer on large jobs.
Donate leftover paint to schools, community groups, theatre groups or a neighbour.

Page last updated: 27 February 2011