NewsRound

Neighbourhood noise can impact the community, particularly during Covid - have your say

Have Your Say on new environmental guidelines

Noise in the suburbs can really impact people at home, especially during a lockdown. The EPA is consulting on an updated Guide that provides practical guidance on the day-to-day management of common noise issues which are generally managed by councils. The EPA is seeking the views of stakeholders on the Guide.

See the draft Noise Guideline for Local Government and frequently asked questions, to have your say on the proposed changes. Submissions are due by 5pm 27 September 2021

Radiation Control Act review now active

We are all familiar with X-rays and imaging. How will the latest Radiation Control Act impact?

Radiation benefits and enhances our lives in many ways, from diagnostic x-rays in dental check-ups, breast screen services and fixing the broken bones of childhood spills, to heart surgery and high-tech treatment of cancer.

The EPA regulates radiation practices in NSW through the Radiation Control Act 1990, which authorises dealings with radiation regulated material and establishes rules for ensuring that radiation is used safely.

We are reviewing the Act now to ensure that it continues to provide best practice protection in radiation use. To assist in the process, we have developed an issues paper in collaboration with the Radiation Advisory Council and other stakeholders.

Read the issues paper and have your say. Submissions close on 20 September 2021.

Waste Watch

Zip it smarter for the environment

A Plastic-Free July message and tips from John Lavarack in the EPA’s Litter team

The EPA's John Lavarack offers great tips for reducing single-use plastic storage bags

We’ve been measuring litter in our waterways for four years and have found that two-thirds of the litter is single-use plastics. These are everyday things like white plastic bags, straws, takeaway containers or more unusual stuff like party poppers or shot gun shells.

One item that is becoming more and more of a problem is the resealable plastic bag – what we often call zip-lock bags. These now make up one in every sixty items of rubbish.

I once used them a lot but when I saw how damaging they could be I knew I had to change my habits.

And it wasn’t hard to do.

Now stashed in every corner of my life I have ‘ready to go’ reusable bags.

In my travel luggage I use cloth zip bags of various sizes. In my work bag I have this beautiful Japanese cloth bag that was a gift – and they do make great gifts.

Wax wraps are good for packing lunches for covering leftovers and if you really need a liquid proof option in the kitchen, use silicone reusable zip bags.

As you can see there are plenty of ways to stop using single-use zip lock bags – as I say, Zip it good!

Find out more  

Bin Trim App helps guide business recycling

Get on to the new Bin Trim App now to help recycle more and save money

Our new Bin Trim app is helping businesses to reduce waste, recycle more and save money. Councils, waste service providers, consultants and industry groups now have free access to the Bin Trim web application.  

The Bin Trim App can access waste data from various industry sectors and locations, generate high-level reports of volume and weight by local government area and industry sector.

Users can also track their progress through helpful graphs and charts.

The user-friendly App guides users to enter the types and amount of waste produced by their business. They will then receive a free and easy action plan to reduce waste, save money and improve the environment.

Bin Trim is funded under the nine-year Waste Less Recycle More initiative and is designed to help achieve NSW recycling targets for the business sector.

Access the App and find out more