Have you ever wondered what happens to trash dumped along the roadside?

In Sydney’s western regions, many of these stockpiled materials are left for the council to remove, posing a potential health risk to the public. Sydney City Council decided to partner with EESI to ensure dumped waste materials in the city of Sydney are continuously being disposed of safely and in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

EESI’s team has a long history of working closely with local councils, including the Sydney City Council, to assist in the waste classification of stockpiled material. These stockpiles can contain high concentrations of heavy metals or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be dangerous to the public and the environment.

Initially, it is unclear what type of waste the stockpiles are. Therefore, EESI covers them in a way that prevents any harm to the public. In order to determine whether any dumped soil material should be classified as hazardous or general solid waste, the EESI team sorts and samples the waste materials and compares the results with the NSW EPA Waste Classification Guidelines. As soon as the waste is classified, the council is notified, and it can take the appropriate action for its removal.

For councils, illegal dumping of hazardous waste is a serious and ongoing problem. Thanks to EESI’s fast response, councils can act fast to keep communities safe and clean.

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