Environment
Waste
Ash disposed onsite, which is the largest of AGL's waste streams, decreased 17% in FY24. Liddell Power Station disposed 740,563 tonnes in FY23 prior to closure in April 2023. There was an 8% increase at Bayswater Power Station in line with increased coal combusted. Loy Yang A Power Station dispsoal increased by 50% compared to FY23, noting that coal combustion increased by 12% and FY23 used estimated data.
Ash recycled offsite decreased 37%, with a 36% decrease at Bayswater Power Station.
Onsite recycling of ash at Bayswater Power Station increased in FY24 as bottom ash was transferred to the Ravensworth mine void for rehabilitation and dust control purposes.
Hazardous waste disposed decreased 38% compared to FY23, mainly driven by a decrease in hazardous waste disposed at Silver Springs Gas Project and AGL Torrens. Both facilities had high hazardous waste disposed in FY23 due to their activities that year: Silver Springs Gasfield had an increase in production fluid in FY23, and AGL Torrens had a new waste stream in the form of coolant water. AGL Torrens changed the type of coolant water in FY24 due to an algal bloom; the new coolant water only needed to be topped up and was not disposed of in the same quantities as the old coolant water.
Hazardous waste recycled increased 15% compared to FY23. The increase was mainly driven by the decommissioning of Liddell Power Station and Torrens Island Power A Station.
For the purposes of this data set, AGL Torrens comprises the Torrens Island Power Station and the Barker Inlet Power Station. |
AGL is focused on minimising waste generation and managing waste in accordance with the waste management hierarchy of ‘avoidance, resource recovery, disposal’. AGL’s Waste Standard and Waste Standard Methodology applies to AGL controlled sites where waste is generated, and covers all waste management activities including waste segregation, storage, transportation, reuse, recycling, treatment or disposal carried out by AGL employees and contractors. The Waste Standard has 16 minimum controls to ensure that: potential risks from waste management activities (e.g., waste transportation, treatment, and disposal) to the environment and human health are minimised to as low as reasonably practicable; generation of waste is managed and minimised as far as practicable and in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, relevant legislation, and approvals; and regulatory license conditions and other compliance obligations with respect to the management of waste are met. The Waste Standard Methodology provides guidance on how to achieve the Waste Standard minimum controls. |
Unless otherwise indicated, waste categorised as 'disposed' and 'recycled' refer to waste taken offsite for these purposes. |
AGL Loy Yang manages the disposal of its own fly ash (non-hazardous waste) as well as the fly ash produced by the neighbouring Loy Yang B Power Station. Figures reported above include two-thirds of the amount of fly ash disposed by AGL Loy Yang, which is the best estimate of the proportion of fly ash originating from AGL’s power generation activities at AGL Loy Yang. |
FY24 ash waste disposal data for AGL Loy Yang is based on estimates only. Final ash waste disposal data will be available later in 2024. |