The Plant 

Stored HCB Waste Repackaging Plant

Orica currently stores hexachlorobenzene (HCB) waste at Botany Industrial Park (BIP). The waste was accumulated during the manufacture of solvents and plastics at BIP. The waste is held in licensed stores and managed in accordance with a government endorsed HCB Waste Management Plan. Regular repackaging is part of managing this waste while it continues to be stored at Botany.

On 12 August 2006, Orica received approval from the NSW Department of Planning to build and operate an automated HCB waste repackaging plant near the western boundary of BIP. Construction of the plant was completed in early 2007, and Orica commenced repackaging HCB waste at the new plant in mid 2007. The plant is designed to repackage all types of HCB and related wastes, and is conveniently located adjacent to major licensed HCB waste stores on BIP. At the HCB Waste Repackaging Plant, the waste is repackaged in accordance with regulations for international dangerous goods transport (United Nations Dangerous Goods regulations).

The Stored HCB Waste Repackaging Plant is a materials-handling facility. The facility enables Orica to prepare the waste for off-site transportation, but no chemical processing of the waste takes place at the plant.

Aerial view of the HCB Waste Repackaging Plant and its adjacent HCB stores

Progress on Waste Repackaging 

As of May 2010, approximately 80% of the waste stored at Botany has been repackaged. 

To date, waste from stores A, B and C (situated adjacent to the Repackaging Plant, also known as Store J) has been repackaged. Repackaging of waste in stores D and I commenced mid 2008, while repackaging of waste in stores G and H commenced in March 2009. Waste from stores E and F has not yet been repackaged. To view a map of locations of HCB waste stores, click here.   

Orica provides regular updates on the HCB waste repackaging progress to the Community Participation and Review Committee (CPRC) by way of a Briefing Paper and Presentations at the quarterly CPRC meetings. Updates are also provided in Orica's monthly newspaper columns.