End of waste framework

The end of waste (EOW) framework under Chapters 8 and 8A of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 promotes resource recovery opportunities and aims to transform the perception of waste from being seen as waste to being valued as a resource.

Read the EOW guideline (ESR/2016/3323) (PDF, 270KB).

The EOW framework consists of:

  • EOW codes – specifies outcomes that a registered resource producer needs to achieve in order for a waste to be deemed a resource
  • EOW approvals – used when there is a potential market/demand for a resource, but an EOW code has not yet been developed.

A waste can be approved as a resource if the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (the department) considers that it meets specified quality criteria for its specific use. If a waste is approved as a resource under the EOW framework, it is no longer considered a waste under section 8AA of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. However, if the resource is not used in accordance with the EOW code or approval, it is deemed to be a waste.

Benefits of operating under an EOW code may include:

  • less regulation for the reuse of waste (e.g. approvals relating to regulated waste are not required)
  • volumes of waste disposed to landfill are reduced, reducing the cost associated with disposal
  • costs from using raw materials may be reduced
  • reuse of the waste may have a monetary value.

Review of the EOW framework

In 2023 the department engaged an independent consultant to undertake a review of the EOW framework. The purpose of the review was to assess the extent to which the framework meets and supports its original intent and objectives.

The EOW Framework Review Report (PDF, 1.6MB) includes key findings and recommendations for improvements and modifications to the EOW framework which provide for:

  • greater certainty for the application of the definition of waste and for the various pathways that may create a resource from waste
  • increased reuse of waste as a resource and improved circular economy outcomes
  • improved processes for nominating and creating EOW codes
  • facilitating greater connections between resource producers and resource users
  • greater strategic approach to identifying waste suitable for EOW codes
  • investigating a number of changes to the EOW framework such as specific approvals that may facilitate significantly more reuse and recovery of waste
  • periodic review and consolidation of codes to avoid duplication and ensure reuse is being facilitated adequately.

The department supported 35 of the 37 recommendations in principle. The remaining 2 recommendations are either related to matters the department does not control or there is a lack of evidence of the issues occurring.

Read more about the Departmental response: Independent review of the EOW framework (PDF, 286KB) recommendations and findings.

The department will continue working with interested parties to implement the recommendations in the report to enable greater opportunity for increased reuse and recovery and improved circular economy outcomes.

Beneficial use approval framework

The EOW framework replaced the beneficial use approval (BUA) framework on 8 November 2016.

Under the transitional provisions in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, resources approved under specific BUAs issued prior to this date can continue to be used as a resource for the uses specified under those approvals until the end of the approval period for the BUA (the period specified in the relevant notice).

Also consider...