Liquid Trade Waste

Step 1.Submit the application form

Complete and submit the application form below, pay the fee specified in the form. You can find application fees and ongoing discharge costs in our fees and charges. Obtaining approval is a two-stage process.  You will need to complete this Application Form and pay the prescribed fee.  A trade waste officer will contact you to discuss your application and determine your current liquid trade waste classification.

Once your classification is determined, the trade waste officer will send you the appropriate Application for Approval to discharge to sewer.  You will then need to provide technical information regarding pre-treatment equipment to ensure your business meets required discharge standards. 

If you do not own the property, you will need to include approval from the owner (there is a link to the form in the application below). In doing this, the land owner acknowledges the business activities proposed for their land, and accepts responsibility for ongoing liquid trade waste and sewer charges. They may seek to recoup costs.

Please note: An application cannot proceed without the consent of the land owner.

 Liquid Trade Waste Application Form

Classification

A trade waste officer will contact you to discuss our requirements for approval. They will also classify your business according to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's (DPIE) Liquid Trade Waste Guidelines. 

Step 2.Submit the approval form

We will provide you with your classification and a link to the appropriate application form. You will need pay the approval fee and detail your business activities, liquid wastes, the trade waste pre-treatment devices.

We will use this information to assess whether your business meets the requirements. DPIE may need to confirm concurrence for classification B, C or S businesses. 

If approved, we will send you and the property owner a letter outlining terms and conditions specific to your business. 

Failure to comply

Additional charges may apply if your business does not hold a current approval, or you fail to meet the conditions of your existing approval.

Step 1.Substances prohibited from sewer

These substances are prohibited from being discharged to sewer within NSW. For businesses, these prohibited substances are listed in the NSW Liquid Trade Waste Regulation Guidelines and/or the liquid trade waste approval for each business:

• Organochlorine weedicides, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides and substances of a similar nature and / or wastes arising from the preparation of these substances. 
• Organophosphorous pesticides and wastes arising from the preparation of these substances.
• Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Any substances liable to produce noxious or poisonous vapours in the sewerage system.
• Organic solvents and mineral oil*
• Any flammable or explosive substances*
• Discharges from 'bulk fuel depots'.
• Discharges from chemicals and / or oil storage areas.
• Natural or synthetic resins, plastic monomers, synthetic adhesives, rubber and plastic emulsions.
• Rain, roof, surface, seepage or ground water, unless specifically permitted (clause 137A of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021).
• Solid matter*
• Disposable products including wet wipes, cleaning wipes, colostomy bags, cat litter and any other products marketed as flushable. 
• Any substance assessed as not suitable to be discharged into the sewerage system.
• Any other substances listed in Schedule 5 of Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulations 2009 or any other relevant legislation. 

* above the approved limit.

Step 2.Tips for managing trade waste

Correctly managing trade waste and maintaining equipment means a cleaner environment, will save you money and meet your discharge requirements.

The following housekeeping tips may be helpful in training staff and achieving a better quality liquid trade waste discharge. 

• Never put cooking oil or fats down the drain. 
• Use trays to catch fat, grease and oil.
• Always store used cooking oil and fat in secure containers and have it removed and disposed of in an approved manner by a licensed contractor.
• Maintain access grease arrestors and pre-treatment equipment at all times. 
• Do not store oil drums and equipment on top of grease arrestors.
• use minimal grease and oil for cooking. 
• scrape utensils and dishes in the garbage bin or compost before washing. 
• install screens and basket arrestors in sinks and floor drains
• use a broom and mop for washing floors, not the hose.
• use high pressure hoses or hoses with trigger nozzles for washing vehicles and equipment
• use water sparingly, efficiently, recycle whenever possible.
• use water efficient appliances.
• don't leave taps or hoses running. Generally, a fully open tap will supply approximately 0.3 litres/second (or 1000 litres an hour).