Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will oversee a small-scale trial to safely destroy chemical wastes that have been stored in Melbourne for over 15 years following the introduction of new treatment methods.
Following the 2001 Stockholm Convention - an international treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent pollutants - the use of certain pesticides, fungicides and other veterinary chemicals were banned in Victoria.
EPA Major Projects Manager German Ferrando-Miguel said the collection of these chemicals from across Victoria at the time, mainly from the agricultural and veterinary sectors, totalled 235 tonnes.
“Most of the collected chemicals were able to be treated, disposed of or destroyed safely and easily however EPA, on behalf of the State Government, currently manages the remaining 80 tonnes that were unable to be treated due to them being a complex mix of pesticides,” Dr Ferrando-Miguel said.
“Until recently, there has not been a viable and safe solution for the treatment and destruction of these chemical wastes and they have been securely and safely stored in Melbourne over the past 15 years.
“Fortunately, technology at waste management facilities has since evolved to now allow these chemical wastes to be treated and destroyed safely.”
Dr Ferrando-Miguel said following a rigorous and extensive process, Sterihealth in Laverton, Victoria, and Toxfree in Narangba, Queensland, had been selected to trial their proposals.
“EPA, together with an independent technical expert, will assess the results of the trial to determine the most effective treatment methodologies and determine the most appropriate solution to treat the remaining waste,” he said.
“EPA will oversee the trials to ensure they are conducted according to best practice methods that also apply to the treatment and destruction of similar chemicals. The aim is to ensure that minimal end products remain following treatment.”
Both facilities will be given approximately half a tonne of the waste to treat as part of the trial. The trials are expected to commence in early 2016 and will be run for three months.
For more information, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au