What is waste
Waste is anything your business no longer needs and chooses to dispose of. From leftover materials and packaging to food scraps or old equipment. Under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 in the Northern Territory, waste includes any solid, liquid, gas, or combination of by‑products, including substances classified as 'listed waste'.
Managing waste properly helps reduce costs, protect the environment, and meet community expectations. Certain waste related activities may also require an environmental protection approval or licence.
Licences and approvals
Under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998, certain waste-related activities require an environment protection approval or licence.
The NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) oversees waste management rules. If your business handles hazardous or large‑scale waste, you may need a permit.
- Environment protection approvals are required during the planning and consultation stage of certain activities.
- Environment protection licences are required once those activities move into operation.
Your business must apply for an environment protection approval before building or installing facilities that:
- Dispose of waste by burial
- Store, recycle, treat, or dispose of listed waste commercially
- Process hydrocarbons to produce more than 500,000 tonnes of LNG or methanol each year (without a petroleum lease or permit)
You must hold an environment protection licence to:
- Operate a landfill serving more than 1,000 people
- Collect, transport, store, recycle, or dispose of listed waste commercially
- Run facilities that manage listed waste (excluding sewerage plants)
- Operate large‑scale hydrocarbon processing facilities as described above
If you hold an approval or licence, you must report to the NT EPA on:
- Annual returns
- Any non‑compliance incidents
- Trigger value exceedances
- Volumes of listed waste handled
Standard reporting forms are available from the NT EPA website.
Visit Your business | NTEPA for more information
How you dispose of waste depends on the type of waste and your location. Check with your local or regional council for guidance on disposal options, and see the section below for local service providers who can help
Your Environmental Duties
Under the Environment Protection Act 2019, all businesses in the Northern Territory have two key responsibilities:
- General environmental duty: You must not carry out any activity that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental harm unless you have taken steps to prevent or minimise it. Everyone is responsible for the impact of their actions. While there is no specific offence for failing this duty, the NT EPA can issue directions or clean‑up notices if harm occurs.
- Duty to notify: If your business causes, or is at risk of causing, serious or material environmental harm, you must inform the NT EPA as well as the landowner or occupier. This applies to incidents or activities that could result in pollution or significant damage.
For more information on your obligations and duties visit NT EPA
Recycling Makes Business Sense
Recycling is not just good for the environment, it can also save your business money, improve efficiency, and strengthen your reputation. Here’s how:
- Cut landfill costs by diverting waste into recycling streams.
- Reduce general waste bins, meaning fewer collections and lower ongoing expenses.
- Save on collection fees for many recyclables such as cardboard and glass.
- Boost workplace culture, as staff feel proud working for a business that is active in making a difference.
- Build customer trust, with more people choosing businesses that show genuine commitment to sustainability.
Tips for NT businesses
Managing waste does not have to be complicated. These simple steps are easy to introduce
- Reduce packaging where possible
- Reuse materials (for e.g. pallets, containers)
- Train staff on what goes where
- Work with local service providers to find cost‑effective solutions
- Engage with local service providers to find the most cost-effective solutions
- Use signage to help your business implement an effective recycling system
- Communicate with neighbouring businesses if you share bins in shopping centres or malls.
- Celebrate successes by sharing recycling achievements with staff and customers to build pride and trust.
Measure your business waste (Bin Trim App)
Bin Trim is a free tool that helps businesses assess their waste and find simple ways to cut costs and reduce environmental impact.
- Sign up for free Bin Trim and complete a quick waste assessment
- See how much waste your business produces and what materials are in it
- Get a tailored waste and recycling plan with practical steps
- Track improvements over time and measure results
- Reduce disposal fees and improve efficiency
Supported by the NSW EPA, Bin Trim is available to Territory businesses for free.
Start using Bin Trim today to save money, improve efficiency, and show your commitment to sustainability.
Prohibited Plastic Items in the NT
In the Territory, businesses need to be aware that the ban on lightweight plastic bags has been in place since 1 September 2011, Retailers face fines if they supply banned items, so it’s important to understand exactly what’s prohibited.
What’s currently banned
- Lightweight plastic bags: including degradable checkout‑style bags.
What’s restricted at events and markets:
- Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons).
- Plastic straws.
- Plastic bowls and plates.
- Plastic takeaway containers.
- Bioplastic alternatives are permitted if they are bio‑based and fully biodegradable.
For more information visit
