Electronic and electrical waste, or ‘e-waste’, has become one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Australia. E-waste contains materials which may present risks to human health and the environment if not managed appropriately. It can also contain recoverable high value materials.
To support e-waste resource recovery and avoid impacts from improper e-waste management and disposal, the State Government implemented a statewide ban on e-waste disposal to landfill on 1 July 2024. Schedule 1 of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (e-waste) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) sets out regulated e-waste categories and types of items included in the ban.
The ban aligns Western Australia with the e-waste landfill bans in other states and territories and supports national harmonisation of current and future federal e-stewardship actions.
To be effective, bans require flexibility to include consideration of special circumstances, recognising that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. The capacity for exemptions was incorporated into the Regulations to help balance the need for effective e-waste management with practical considerations, such as WA’s geographic remoteness, infrastructure constraints, and circumstances outside of a person’s control such as natural disasters.
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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) is responsible for administering the Regulations.
Regulation 16 sets out the circumstances under which an applicant such as an e-waste service provider, a landfill operator or a significant entity can apply for an exemption from the Regulations. An application may be made to the CEO of the department for an exemption from a requirement imposed on the applicant under these Regulations on the grounds that —
(a) an event or circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have rendered regulated e-waste unsuitable for processing or use for resource or energy recovery; or
(b) it is unreasonable to expect the applicant to comply with the requirement because regulated e-waste is in a remote location.
If you do not meet either of these circumstances then you are ineligible for an exemption and should not complete this application form.
To assist in completing this form, please refer to the relevant information:
Please take your time to read all questions before starting your application. Complete each section, refer to the guideline and review the application before you submit.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. If you are unsure about completing any part of this application, please contact the department at ewaste@dwer.wa.gov.au
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Disclaimer: No grant or rebate funding is associated with this exemption process.
If you have queries about the E-waste Infrastructure Grants Program or the E-waste Regional Transportation Support Scheme for local governments contact ewaste@dwer.wa.gov.au.
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