Document sludge disposal

It is important that suppliers maintain records on the testing and disposal of sludge to ensure that they can demonstrate their chosen disposal pathway and that the sludge is conformant for that pathway.

Supplier required actions

• The supplier should identify their sludge disposal pathway.
• For the supplier’s chosen disposal pathway, complete information and records of the pathway should be maintained, including the sludge manifest required for legal purposes.
• Where sludge is disposed of through authorised third-party waste contractors, suppliers should make an effort to gather all relevant information on the disposal pathway from the waste contractor.
• ZDHC sludge disposal pathway templates can be used by the supplier to input the information relevant to their major disposal pathway.
• A supplier should maintain a signed declaration template (with complete information about the disposal pathway) and provide it to the sampler from the ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory during their visit to collect wastewater and sludge samples for testing. This will help the laboratory to determine the applicable testing and reporting requirements for the sludge sample.

Download sludge disposal pathway declaration template

ZDHC sludge disposal pathways

There are seven disposal pathways.

If the pathway is unknown the facility should assume Disposal Pathway F.

• Pathway A – On-site or Off-site incineration at >1000℃
• Pathway B - Landfill with significant control measures
• Disposal Pathway C - Building products processed at >1000℃
• Disposal Pathway D - Landfill with limited control measures
• Disposal Pathway E - Off-site incineration and building products processed at <1000℃
• Disposal Pathway F - Landfills with no control measures
• Disposal Pathway G - Land application for a specific purpose in approved areas.