Managing Trade Waste

Moa Point Treatment Plant

Businesses that produce oil, grease or other liquid waste may need to have a trade waste consent.

Liquid trade waste can cause environmental havoc if poured down the sink - blocking drains, damaging the Moa Point Treatment Plant and polluting waterways.

Trade waste is controlled by laws to help protect drainage system treatment plants, which are essential city assets.

Trade Waste Consent Evaluation

If your business is producing more liquid waste than that of a large household, you may need a trade waste consent.

The Council grants consents on a case-by-case basis. Call the Council to discuss your situation with the Trade Waste Officer.

If it sounds like your business may need a consent, the Officer will assess your situation by looking at site plans, and the type and volume of liquid waste. Chemical analysis may also be involved. The Council officer's evaluation will show whether or not you need a consent.

The decision as to whether a consent is needed can take 20 working days. However, assessment and evaluation of the conditions to be set up for a consent can take a number of months. Temporary consents may be granted in such cases.

All enquiries should go to:

Trade Waste Officer

Address:	Building Consents and Licensing Services Wellington City Council PO Box 2199 Wellington 6140
Phone:	(04) 803 8057
Fax:	(04) 801 8012
Email:	bruce.collier

Apply for a Consent

To apply for a consent, complete the following form and return it to the Trade Waste Officer:

Trade Waste Consent Application (81Kb PDF)

Cost

The following sets out the costs you can expect to pay for a consent:

Application process: $180
Annual consent fee: $130 - $1,800
Any initial investigative test costs
Any initial costs if a pre-treatment system is needed
Ongoing costs for liquid waste analysis

For a full list of charges go to:

Fees

Flow-based Charges

The Council has introduced a charging system for the amount and concentration of trade waste discharged into the sewer system. These charges are for flow, BOD and suspended solids. (BOD stands for biological oxygen demand - a measure of the level of organic matter in the waste, measured in kilograms.)

Refer to the Trade Waste Charges Policy for more information:

Trade Waste Charges Policy

Tips for Handling Waste

Look through the following resources for practical advice and information on managing your business's trade waste:

To find out more about getting your waste collected and approved Council contractors, go to:

Liquid Waste Transportation