EMRC places a high priority on environmental sustainability, which forms an important element in the planning and management of its activities. A large portion of EMRC operations are in providing essential waste management services and the Red Hill Waste Management Facility plays a large role in this. An environmental policy has therefore been developed specifically for the site, and details the set of commitments, objectives and responsibilities designed to drive the sustainability of the site.

To implement these objectives, the waste services environmental team provide support for the facility through a comprehensive environmental management system. This is an integrated set of protocols and procedures designed to produce continuous site improvement whilst minimising the risks of environmental impact. Some of the types of environmental work conducted include environmental monitoring, research, community engagement, site rehabilitation and contaminated waste management.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) regulate the transport and disposal of contaminated wastes within Western Australia, and have licensed the Red Hill Waste Management Facility to accept up to Class IV contaminated waste under specified disposal requirements.

Within this framework, EMRC waste services environmental officers manage the assessment and approvals process for contaminated waste, and can provide advice on contaminated waste enquiries and acceptability requirements.

Waste Services number – (08) 9424 2227

Some types of contaminated wastes that may be acceptable at Red Hill include:

• Solid process wastes;
• Contaminated soils;
• Treated Timber (Creosote and CCA); and
• Asbestos contaminated materials and soils.

The supplementary notes below provide additional information on how contaminated waste is assessed for acceptability at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility.
 

Environmental monitoring programs at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility include extensive quarterly surface and ground water monitoring rounds with upwards of 65 sites monitored. The monitoring program generates physico-chemical data taken from direct measurements and extraction of samples for analytical laboratory testing.

Other environmental monitoring includes tracking Western Grey Kangaroo and Australian White Ibis numbers present on site, monitoring of environmental indicators such as macro-invertebrates, and monitoring of rehabilitated bushland areas.
 

Following the completion of landfill waste cells, EMRC commences a landform rehabilitation program to address drainage management, erosion, visual impacts and landscape amenity in a manner that promotes the long-term rehabilitation objectives of the Red Hill Waste Management Facility.

The final landform reconstruction of each cell is designed to link with other land filled areas whilst integrating with surrounding natural surface levels not utilised for landfill. This ensures the landfill operation blends in with the surrounding environment and is representative of other areas along the Darling Escarpment.
 

EMRC recognises that although the Red Hill Waste Management Facility provides essential services to the community, the facility also needs to be accountable for its responsibilities within the community.

For this reason a community engagement program has been implemented, with community liaison meetings held at the site on a bi-monthly basis. At this forum, site representatives are available to discuss issues and proposals with community members, and equally community members can provide feedback, ideas or raise issues.
 

Due to EMRC's environmental team being experienced in contaminated waste assessment and management, and being equipped and experienced at implementing sampling and analysis programs. Requests made by clients for environmental services in the areas of external contaminated site investigations, and/or provision of soil remediation services at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility can readily be considered.