Australian Waste Management Glossary: 35 Key Terms

Bins & collection

Waste broker. A service intermediary helping a business arrange waste services. Scope, remuneration and contracting parties need to be checked in the engagement.

Front-lift bin. A container designed for a compatible front-loading collection vehicle. Confirm dimensions, lifting interface and clearance with the supplier.

Rear-lift bin. A container emptied using a compatible rear-loading collection vehicle. The term does not specify one universal bin capacity.

Hook-lift bin. A container handled by a vehicle with a compatible hook-lift system. Do not assume it is interchangeable with a marrel skip system.

Skip bin. A container supplied for filling and subsequent collection. Ask which lifting system, accepted materials and load limits apply.

Compactor. Equipment that compresses material. Its suitability, safe operation and effect on collection costs require a site-specific assessment.

MGB: mobile garbage bin. A movable wheeled waste container. Confirm its actual capacity and compatibility with the collection service.

Lift fee. A charge for a specified bin-emptying service. Check which other charges are included or separate.

Relevant source guidance: Cleanaway: Construction Waste Disposal and Recycling Services

Materials & streams

General or residual waste. Material accepted by a residual collection service after relevant separate streams are considered. The name alone does not prove its final destination.

Commingled recycling. Accepted recyclable materials collected together. The operator’s current specification determines what can go in the bin.

FOGO. Food organics and garden organics. Confirm the actual service’s accepted materials and preparation rules.

Putrescible waste. Waste capable of decomposing or rotting. Storage and collection arrangements should account for its condition and associated risks.

C&I and C&D waste. Commercial and industrial waste; and construction and demolition waste. These describe source sectors, not permission to mix every material.

E-waste. Electrical or electronic waste. EPA Victoria prohibits its disposal to landfill; use an appropriate separate route.

Contamination. Material or condition outside the receiving service’s accepted specification. Consequences and charges depend on the circumstances and agreement.

Relevant source guidance: Cleanaway: Commingled services for businesses and councils; EPA Victoria: Electronic waste

Liquid, trade & hazardous

Trade waste. In water-retailer guidance, business-generated liquid waste distinct from domestic sewage. Check the serving retailer’s definition and consent requirements.

Grease trap or interceptor. Pretreatment equipment for separating fats, oils and grease from relevant wastewater. Design and maintenance requirements depend on the premises and retailer’s conditions.

Liquid waste. Waste in liquid form. Its composition and classification determine suitable storage, transport and receiving arrangements.

Clinical waste. A specialist waste category associated with healthcare and related activities. Assess the material under applicable guidance; not all waste from a clinic is clinical waste.

Sharps. Items such as needles and blades that can cut or puncture. Use the appropriate sharps container and handling procedure for the activity.

Hazardous waste. Waste with properties that can harm health or the environment. Exact legal classifications and controls depend on the jurisdiction and material.

Relevant source guidance: South East Water: Trade waste; EPA Victoria: Manage clinical and related industrial waste

EPA Victoria classification (Environment Protection Act 2017)

Industrial waste: Victoria. A statutory category including waste from commercial, industrial and trade activities and other specified sources. Check EPA’s full definition.

Priority waste: Victoria. A subset of industrial waste subject to additional controls.

Reportable priority waste: Victoria. A subset of priority waste with the highest level of controls. Determine the transaction and transport duties for the specific waste.

Prescribed industrial waste: PIW. Historical Victorian terminology. EPA’s 2021 transition changed and split some codes; do not treat PIW as a one-to-one synonym for a current category.

Duty of care. A general expression, not a substitute for identifying the actual duties in the applicable law. In Victoria, check the general environmental duty and relevant waste duties.

Relevant source guidance: EPA Victoria: Understand your waste obligations and duties; EPA Victoria: Waste code transition to Environment Protection Regulations 2021

Costs, levies & contracts

Landfill levy. A government charge associated with disposal under the applicable levy rules. Category, location and rate period matter; it is not the full collection price.

Gate fee. The receiving facility’s charge for accepting a load. Ask about units, minimum charges, GST and whether levy components are included.

Transfer station. A facility where waste is received and transferred onward; particular facilities may also sort materials. Confirm its authorised activities and acceptance.

Rise-and-fall clause. A contractual price-adjustment mechanism. Check the formula, reference measure, timing and whether it allows decreases as well as increases.

Auto-renewal clause. A term providing for renewal unless specified action is taken. Check dates, notice method and applicable legal protections.

Bin rental or service fee. A contractual charge for equipment or service availability. Read the agreement to distinguish it from collection and other charges.

Relevant source guidance: EPA Victoria: Waste levy; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: Contracts

Recovery & sustainability

Resource recovery. Recovery of useful materials or energy from waste. State the particular outcome; material recycling and energy recovery are not interchangeable measures.

Waste-to-energy. Recovery of energy from waste. Check the technology, accepted inputs and evidence for the actual processing route.

Container deposit scheme. A scheme providing a refund for eligible returned drink containers. CDS Vic publishes Victoria’s eligibility and return information.

Relevant source guidance: Victorian Government: Waste to energy; CDS Vic: Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme