Repackaging & Destruction of Stored HCB Waste Project

Orica is repacking hexachlorobenzene (HCB) waste stored at Botany Industrial Park (BIP), and plans to export the repackaged waste for destruction in high temperature incinerators overseas. There have been other proposals for the disposal of the HCB waste over the last three decades, but these proposals have proven unsuccessful, or have not been commercially viable. Therefore, Orica is pursuing the option of exporting the HCB waste to Europe, for destruction by high temperature incineration.

What is HCB?

HCB is a white crystalline solid waste byproduct that is practically insoluble in water. It is characteristically toxic and bioaccumulative, very resistant to degradation in the environment and a possible human carcinogen. Internationally, it is known and classified as a priority Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

HCB was produced as a waste by-product in the former solvent and plastic manufacturing plants at BIP between 1963 and 1991.

What HCB Waste is Stored at Botany Industrial Park?

Approximately 16,000 tonnes of HCB waste is stored at BIP in purpose-built, licensed storage facilities and managed in accordance with the government endorsed Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council's (ANZECC) National HCB Waste Management Plan (the 'Management Plan'). The storage of HCB waste is licensed under Orica's Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act Licence No. 26  (573KB). Orica's HCB stockpile includes both high concentration and low concentration waste, the latter being contaminated containers, pallets and protective clothing.

The Annual Report  (78 KB) for the period 12 July 2008 to 11 July 2009 was submitted to the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water in August 2009.

Why Does it Need to be Repackaged?

The management plan for this waste requires it to be regularly repackaged while it continues to be stored at BIP. The drums containing the waste deteriorate after about 20 years. With over 50,000 drums in storage, an average of over 2,500 drums need to be repackaged every year. When repackaged, an additional 10% of waste is produced in the form of used personal protective equipment, crushed drums and pallets.

The waste must be repackaged into United Nations approved transport containers in order for the waste to be moved offsite for final destruction.

Repackaged Drum at the HCB Waste Repackaging Plant

Why Does it Need to be Destroyed?

HCB is a priority POP, and Orica has one of the world's largest remaining stockpiles. The ANZECC's Management Plan requires Orica to treat the waste. There is also increasing international pressure to destroy POP waste (the Stockholm Convention). Furthermore, continued storage in BIP will result in the stockpile expanding, due to ongoing repackaging. This increases health, safety and security risks to the local Botany community. The waste must be moved from BIP to be destroyed safely in an environmentally sound manner.

How is Orica Going to Destroy the Waste?

Orica is committed to finding a solution for destruction of the HCB waste. There are no facilities to treat the HCB waste locally, or in Australia. Orica has applied for export permits to transport the stored HCB stockpile overseas for destruction. On 18 August 2010, both the Australian and Danish Governments approved the export of 6,100 tonnes of HCB waste for safe and environmentally sound destruction at the Kommunekemi Plant in Nyborg, Denmark. For further details, view the Export for Destruction page.