Classification of waste
Classifying wastes into groups that pose similar risks to the environment and human health facilitates their management and appropriate disposal. Wastes in NSW can be classified for disposal or transport into one of the following categories:
- Special waste (includes clinical waste, asbestos waste and waste tyres)
- Liquid waste
- Hazardous waste
- Restricted solid waste
- General solid waste (putrescible)
- General solid waste (non-putrescible)
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) does not provide a waste classification service. It is the responsibility of those who generate the waste to classify it. To assist waste generators classify the wastes they produce, OEH has developed the Waste Classification Guidelines, which outline a clear and easy-to-follow, step-by-step process for classifying waste under the current classification system.
The guidelines are comprised of four parts:
Waste classification does not assess the suitability of a waste material for application to land or use as a fuel. For further information, visit the resource recovery exemptions webpage.
If you need assistance in understanding the Waste Classification Guidelines, please contact OEH's Waste Management Section on (02) 9995 5000.
Page last updated: 27 April 2011
