3.4.2(1)
Section 28(7) of the Waste Act sets out the process whereby a person, category of persons, or industry whose activities result in the generation of waste may elect to produce an IndWMP voluntarily. As with mandatory plans, consideration of the factors listed in section 28(4) is required, and the Minister or MEC to whom the plan is submitted can exercise any of their powers with respect to Mandatory IndWMPs. This section of the Act has not yet been brought into effect, pending the preparation of guidelines for voluntary plans.

3.4.2(2)
Through the process of developing a voluntary IndWMP, the affected person or industry is able to set out the measures they will undertake to address waste management challenges. In approving the plan, government agrees to work within the parameters of the plan, and only intervene if the plan is not being adhered to or is failing to meet its targets. The IndWMP gives industry the opportunity to set out the additional norms and standards it will meet for various waste management activities, and how it will adhere to these.