COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Waste Management & Recycling in Plumbing & Drainage Work course. This program has been developed to equip you with the strategies, regulatory knowledge, and practical systems required to manage waste responsibly and sustainably across all plumbing and drainage activities, from residential service work to large-scale commercial projects.

Plumbing and drainage work generates a wide variety of waste types—ranging from offcuts and packaging to hazardous substances and trade effluent. This course begins by defining these waste streams and examining their environmental impacts. You will explore how environmental stewardship is not only a legal obligation under Australian regulations but also an ethical responsibility and a community expectation that increasingly influences public reputation and contract eligibility.

Compliance forms the foundation of responsible waste management. This section outlines key environmental legislation, including EPA regulations, local council guidelines, and plumbing codes that govern trade waste, wastewater, and site cleanliness. You’ll also learn how to meet WHS obligations related to waste handling, and how to ensure your workplace practices reflect both industry standards and legal requirements.

Effective waste management begins with identifying what types of waste will be produced. This section categorises typical waste generated on plumbing jobs—such as solid waste from materials and fixtures, liquid waste including greywater and contaminated water, and hazardous substances such as sealants, solvents, and lead-based products. Understanding these categories allows for correct handling, disposal, and reporting.

Planning ahead is essential to controlling waste. This section explains how to incorporate waste estimates into job costing and work planning. You will learn how to forecast expected waste volumes per stage of work, allocate disposal responsibilities, and coordinate with builders or project managers to ensure that waste control is integrated into the overall site management strategy.

Segregation is a key step in enabling recycling. This section explores how to separate waste into distinct streams—such as metal, plastic, cardboard, and general waste—using labelled bins, skips, or waste stations. You’ll also learn how to avoid contamination through clear signage and communication with the team.

Metal recycling is one of the most valuable recovery streams. This section focuses on how to identify and sort copper, brass, steel, and aluminium waste for resale or recovery. You’ll also learn how to separate reusable fittings and pipework, and how to transport recyclable metals to licensed scrap dealers safely and legally.

Plastics and PVC materials also offer recycling potential. This section outlines how to identify recyclable plastic grades, prepare offcuts for drop-off or pick-up, and coordinate with suppliers for take-back programs. You’ll also explore how to clean and store recyclable plastics properly to meet collection standards.

Packaging waste can often be reduced at the source. This section covers how to work with suppliers to order bulk materials, choose low-waste or returnable packaging, and reuse items like boxes, crates, and bags onsite. Reducing packaging waste cuts costs and supports environmental performance.

Liquid and trade waste must be managed carefully to avoid contamination. This section explains how to contain, transport, and dispose of trade effluent through licensed contractors. You’ll also learn how to ensure no discharge occurs into stormwater drains or natural soil, and how to handle greywater and blackwater in accordance with local plumbing codes.

Hazardous waste presents health and environmental risks. This section provides guidance on the safe handling, storage, and disposal of silicon, adhesives, solvents, and other hazardous substances. You’ll learn to identify hazards, use PPE appropriately, and arrange for disposal through approved channels.

Environmental protection starts on the jobsite. This section focuses on practical measures to prevent contamination—such as using bunds or trays to catch spills, connecting drainage systems correctly before testing, and managing runoff during excavation. Preventative action reduces clean-up costs and reputational risks.

Reusing materials is a sustainable alternative to disposal. This section explores how to salvage usable pipes, taps, valves, and fittings for future use or donation. You’ll also learn how to clean and repurpose components safely and appropriately across a range of job types.

Coordination improves outcomes across the site. This section outlines how to align waste practices with other trades, communicate shared bin rules, and clarify responsibilities on multi-contractor sites. Effective collaboration reduces contamination and ensures waste targets are met.

Tracking waste builds accountability and transparency. This section explains how to keep records of what’s been recycled, reused, or sent to landfill. You’ll learn how to store dockets, use digital logs, and report on waste performance as part of project close-out or client documentation.

Education is key to culture change. This section focuses on how to train apprentices and new team members in responsible waste practices, including segregation, handling protocols, and environmental reasoning. Creating a culture of care and responsibility starts with clear guidance and active leadership.

Improvement is an ongoing process. This section outlines how to review waste outcomes at project completion, identify what worked well, and make refinements for future jobs. Seeking team input also supports innovation and drives better outcomes over time.

Suppliers are important partners in your sustainability efforts. This section discusses how to select vendors offering low-waste products, recycling support, or take-back programs. You’ll also learn how to encourage supplier participation in circular economy initiatives through collaboration and procurement standards.

Sustainability must be embedded into daily operations. This final section focuses on how to integrate waste awareness into toolbox talks, recognise team contributions to waste reduction, and promote your environmental credentials in marketing, tendering, and community engagement.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, systems, and practical techniques required to implement sustainable waste and recycling practices in plumbing and drainage work—ensuring compliance, minimising environmental harm, and supporting a cleaner future for the industry.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Waste Management in Plumbing and Drainage

• Defining waste streams generated in plumbing and drainage work
• Understanding the importance of environmental stewardship in the trade
• Legal, ethical, and community expectations in waste reduction

2. Regulatory Requirements and Industry Standards

• Environmental Protection Acts and local council guidelines
• Plumbing regulations affecting waste water and trade waste
• Workplace compliance with EPA and WHS obligations

3. Identifying Types of Waste in Plumbing Projects

• Solid waste: pipe offcuts, insulation, packaging, broken fixtures
• Liquid waste: greywater, blackwater, contaminated water
• Hazardous waste: adhesives, sealants, lead solder, asbestos materials

4. Planning for Waste Management on Plumbing Sites

• Including waste control measures in job planning and estimates
• Assessing expected waste volume and types per job stage
• Coordinating disposal needs with builders and site managers

5. Segregating Waste for Recycling and Disposal

• Sorting metal, plastic, cardboard, and general waste onsite
• Setting up labelled bins or skips for each material stream
• Avoiding contamination of recyclables through clear signage and instruction

6. Managing Scrap Metal Recovery

• Identifying recyclable copper, brass, steel, and aluminium
• Separating reusable pipe, fittings, and brackets
• Transporting metals to licensed scrap dealers or recovery sites

7. Recycling of Plastic and PVC Materials

• Recognising recyclable vs. non-recyclable plastic products
• Coordinating with suppliers for take-back programs
• Cleaning and storing plastic offcuts for recycling drop-off

8. Reducing Packaging Waste on Plumbing Jobs

• Ordering bulk materials with minimal packaging
• Working with suppliers to use recyclable or returnable containers
• Reusing boxes, bags, and crates where possible

9. Managing Liquid and Trade Waste Properly

• Containing and disposing of trade effluent in accordance with regulations
• Using authorised liquid waste disposal contractors
• Avoiding discharge of wastewater into stormwater or soil

10. Handling and Disposing of Hazardous Waste

• Identifying and managing adhesives, silicon, lead, or solvent-based products
• Using PPE and safe handling techniques for contaminated items
• Disposing of hazardous materials through licensed services

11. Preventing Environmental Contamination Onsite

• Using bunding, trays, and mats to catch spills during installation
• Ensuring correct connection of pipes before system testing
• Preventing excavation runoff or slurry discharge into drains

12. Reusing and Repurposing Plumbing Materials

• Salvaging intact pipe lengths, fittings, taps, and valves
• Cleaning and repurposing components on future jobs
• Donating usable surplus materials to training providers or charities

13. Coordinating with Builders and Other Trades

• Aligning waste separation practices with other contractors
• Ensuring shared skips are used appropriately
• Communicating site rules on waste management

14. Recording and Tracking Waste Disposal Activities

• Keeping logs of quantities recycled, reused, and sent to landfill
• Maintaining disposal receipts or dockets from authorised facilities
• Using this data to report on sustainability performance

15. Educating Apprentices and Workers on Waste Practices

• Training new workers in environmentally responsible waste handling
• Explaining the reasons for segregation and recycling efforts
• Creating a culture of care and accountability in the team

16. Implementing Continuous Improvement in Waste Practices

• Reviewing waste outcomes at project completion
• Seeking feedback from team and clients on waste handling
• Refining future planning to minimise excess material use

17. Working with Suppliers to Promote Recycling

• Choosing suppliers offering take-back or recycling options
• Requesting low-waste packaging alternatives
• Encouraging circular economy practices in the supply chain

18. Embedding Sustainable Waste Practices into Plumbing Culture

• Making waste minimisation part of daily operations and toolbox talks
• Recognising individuals who contribute to waste reduction
• Positioning your business as environmentally responsible in tenders

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.