Sources of waste and pollution

Different types of waste have the potential to damage the environment. In February 2004 the EPA released an information bulletin on how it classifies waste. Click here to read it.

www.epa.vic.gov.au/Business_Sustainability

Waste and pollution can be classified as:

• particulate matter, such as dust, powder particles, soot and other visual particles, which can settle over the surrounding area and pollute stormwater runoff
• liquid such as waste water, chemical spillages, acids or solvents
• odours (smells)
• visual gas emissions such as steam (boiler and leaking valves) and vapour
• invisible gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, which are a major concern because of their possible effects on the atmosphere and long-term environmental effects such as acid rain or ozone depletion
• noise, including noise from dryers, fans, ventilators, boilers, pumps, cooling towers, refrigeration units and trucks.