Services - What our Company Does - Hazardous waste

Environmental Expressions - Hazardous Waste

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)

  • Changes to UK law were implemented from August 13th 2005.
  • This will mean separate responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and retailers.
  • They must be able to provide evidence to show the recovery and recycling of any electrical and electronic equipment and submitted a certificate of compliance by August 13th 2005.

Changes in Hazardous Waste Disposal:

There will be significant changes in how hazardous waste is managed and disposed of. As a result of the landfill directive, from July 16th 2005, all sites producing hazardous waste will need to register with the Environment Agency before this date. It is no longer possible to co-dispose hazardous waste (formally known as special waste) with non-hazardous waste.

Hazardous Waste, July 16 2005

Under the hazardous waste regulations aerosols, used paint/solvent tins, contaminated oil rags and used glue containers must be stored in EU approved clip top 45 gallon drums while waiting for disposal.

Batteries Directive, July 16 2005

As from July 16 2005 producers responsibility for battery disposal must comply with the new directive. This means various types of batteries have to be stored separately.

Changes in Hazardous Waste Disposal:

  • This means that landfill sites are now categorised as hazardous, active or inert. In addition, all hazardous waste will have to be pre-treated to reduce its quantity and hazardous properties before landfill.
  • There are now 200 wastes, previously not classified, that fall under the hazardous category, eg Tvs, monitors, fluorescent tubes and vehicles.

What Does This Mean?

The number of landfill sites in England and Wales that can accept hazardous waste has reduced from 182 in 2003 to about 10 by July 16 2005, resulting in increased transport costs.

  • All producers must provide an initial analysis assessment of hazardous waste to determine their composition, properties and compatibility for disposal.
  • The average cost of analysis reports in the region of £300 per sample.
  • Pre-treating waste prior to disposal resulted in some landfill operators commissioning pre-treatment works, resulting in increased disposal costs.
  • This does not affect liquid or flammable wastes as they have been banned from landfill for some time now.