Managing Liquid Trade Waste

MANAGING YOUR LIQUID TRADE WASTE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES IN FORBES

Forbes Shire Council operates and maintains the Forbes Sewage treatment Plant which treats domestic and commercial sewage.

Liquid Trade Waste is liquid waste from commercial or industrial processes that is distinct from domestic wastewater.

  • Grease, oil, solid material - if not removed onsite, can cause blockages in your wastewater line/pipe and wastewater network;
  • Strong waste may cause odour problems and corrosion of the wastewater system; and
  • Increase costs of waste disposal.

Business Benefits

  • Health and safety improvements by substituting greener alternatives;
  • Reduced liability costs;
  • Enhanced image in the community for liquid waste reduction;
  • Reduced waste disposal costs.

Methods of Liquid Trade Waste Minimisation 

1. Install or upgrade your pre-treatment.

Pre-treatment refers to any device or installation that treats the liquid waste before it enters the sewerage line.

Each business should be able to understand the type of discharge which is coming from their premises, and your trade waste agreement will indicate whether you need to pre-treat your waste. Pre-treatment of trade waste ensures wastewater discharged from your premises meets our requirements and prevents contaminants that can harm public health and the environment.

Basic pre-treatment includes sink screens and in-floor dry basket arrestor whereas more complex installation includes grease arrestor, cooling pit, dilution pits and oil separator. (Details of Pre-treatment can be viewed on the website).

2. Reduce water consumption thus reduce WASTEWATER.

3. Thoroughly drain tanks, troughs, mixers, processing equipment before cleaning.

4. Divert liquid waste from stormwater.

A sewerage system collects, treats and dispose of the sewage from our homes and businesses, including used water that comes from kitchen, bathroom, laundry, sinks or other plumbing components. Stormwater is water that runs off from guttering, downpipes, pits and drains and should never be plumped into the sewer system. This will decrease the mass flow of your liquid trade waste.

5. Pollutant inventory

Develop a list of your liquid trade waste streams such as chemicals, cleaners, solvents, paints, liquid absorbents, oil and lubricants etc. Review procedures for the proper use and disposal of these materials and compliance with standards of discharge.

6. Assess substitutes

Use your pollutant inventory to assess the toxicity and quantity of various chemicals that ends up in the wastewater line and determine whether reduced quantities or substitute “greener” options could be used to reduce the pollutant discharge.

Positive steps to reduce waste load in your business.

  • Make waste reduction a management priority.
  • Adopt the attitude that waste load reduction is one of the best business decisions.
  • Establish waste goals for your business.
  • Identify potential areas within your business that may be able to reduce waste production.
  • Develop a waste strategy for your business.
  • Train employees in the concept of pollution prevention and how to perform their jobs to maximise pollution prevention in your business.

Measuring your Success

How do you know the method is working?

  • Monitor process and liquid waste production changes. Track things such as volume of waste produced, how often it is hauled away and reduction in energy use and the amount of raw materials used.
  • Calculate savings. Look at savings in handling, treating and disposal costs as well as saving from reduced raw materials and energy use.
  • Look at the indirect benefits. Try to gauge the less obvious benefits such as improved public image, reaching new markets, improving and expanding production processes and employee morale and safety. 
  • Re-evaluate your efforts on a regular basis. As new raw materials and processes are introduced, waste streams change. Conduct regular assessments of your business to identify additional waste prevention opportunities.