Enviro-tool to benefit rural NSW waste facilities

Small waste operators and the environment will be the main beneficiaries from a new tool designed to improve monitoring of small landfill sites.
The Environment Risk Assessment and Mitigation Package (E-RAMP) aims to address waste operator concerns by helping to assess and manage potential environmental landfill issues.
The free tool is designed to lead operators through a logical step-by-step process to produce a report which provides a valuable snapshot of the environmental risks specific to an individual site. Those risks might include impacts to groundwater, surface, water, air and conservation and heritage, as well as the potential for fires and noise.
The Excel-based tool has been designed specifically for smaller landfills and enables the operators to carry out a risk assessment process without the need for engaging specialist expertise. While the E-RAMP tool is not a regulatory instrument, site operators will be able to generate environmental risk profiles and action plans for their facilities to assist them with their ongoing management. This may involve making changes to operations and/or practical improvements to areas such as: fencing and security; storage of oils; supervision; and landfill disposal.
The tool has been developed and funded by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) in consultation with NSW regional and rural council waste managers. It can be downloaded from www.environment.nsw.gov.au.