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.