In these Norms and Standards, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) has the meaning so assigned, and unless the context otherwise indicates—

"best practicable environmental option"

means the option that provides the most benefit or causes the least damage to the environment as a whole, at a cost acceptable to society, in the long term as well as in the short term;

"compost"

is a product of controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. The organic waste undergoes mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures, which significantly reduces the viability of pathogens and weed seeds, and stabilizes the carbon such that it is beneficial to plant growth;

"compostable organic waste"

means carbon-based materials of animal or plant origin that naturally enhances fertility of soil but excludes human made organic chemicals and naturally occurring organic chemicals which have been refined or concentrated by human activity, and health-care risk waste;

"composting"

means a controlled biological process in which organic materials are broken down by micro-organisms by means of an aerobic and anaerobic processes to produce compost or fertiliser;

"containment barrier"

refers to a suitable surface on which organic waste is processed through composting which protects the environment from potential contamination with excessive nutrients;

"environmental authority"

means any person or representatives from a national, provincial and local government authorised to conduct an inspections or audits at the facility;

"fertilizer"

means any substance which is intended or offered to be used for improving or maintaining the growth of plants or the productivity of the soil;

"handling"

means functions associated with the movement of waste, including storage, treatment, transportation and ultimate disposal, by the use of manual systems or mechanical systems;

"hazardous organic waste"

means any waste that contains organic elements or compounds that may, owing to their inherent physical, chemical or toxicological characteristics of that waste, have a detrimental impact on human health and the environment, and has been classified in terms of the Waste Classification and Management Regulations in accordance to SANS 10234;

"infectious organic waste"

means organic waste which contains or may be reasonably presumed to contain pathogens which normally cause or significantly contribute to the cause of morbidity or mortality in human beings;

"leachate"

means water that has percolated through and/or been generated by decomposition of organic waste material;

"local authority"

means the district or local municipality that governs waste by-laws and environmental health matters in the relevant geographical area;