How to Deal With Hazardous Waste
A lot of today's waste materials can be harmful to human health and even devastating to the environment (the effects could be immediate or happen over a period of time). This is what we call hazardous wastes. If you have a business that produces hazardous waste, then you have a 'duty of care' to make sure that the waste you produce is disposed of in the correct manner.
In order to move, receive or dispose of hazardous waste, there are certain guidelines with which you must follow carefully, called "The Hazardous Waste Regulations" which are laws stipulated by the government. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment.
Whatever waste you produce will fall into one of the following categories:
- Hazardous Waste – Which is waste that is considered to be hazardous under the hazardous waste regulations, (i.e. lead acid batteries, fluorescent tubes).
- Non-hazardous Waste – Which is waste that is not considered to be hazardous (i.e., paper, edible oil).
- Awaiting Assessment - Waste that needs to be assessed to find out whether it is hazardous or not (i.e. ink or paint).
What are the Regulations for Hazardous Waste?
If you are assessing a waste to determine if it is hazardous you should refer to:
- The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (HWR);
- The List of Waste Regulations 2005 (LoWR)
These were regulations that were put into effect on 16/7/05. There are different versions of these regulations which apply in England and in Wales, however both sets of regulations have the same effect.
It was the HWR who set the rules for determining whether or not your waste is hazardous or not. In the assessment of waste, the HWR will refer you to the "List of Wastes" given in the LoWR. If you feel that you require a copy of these regulations, then you should write to HWR who will be only to glad to send you all the information you should need.
Types of Hazardous Waste
The easiest way to describe a hazardous waste would be to say that it is a waste which poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment and will usually exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- Is it highly flammable?
- Is it oxidizing?
- Is it corrosive?
- Is it toxic?
- Is it eco-toxic?