The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, were brought into force to replace the Special Waste Regulations Act (1996). The regulations were introduced to protect the environment by finding a new way to control and track hazardous waste, ensuring that it is safely and securely disposed of.

There were various motivations behind the act coming into place, though the most prominent is the UK landfil crisis. According to experts, our dependency upon landfills for waste disposal means that the sites will be completely overflowing by 2023 – as a result, certain interventions must be put in place -and the Hazardous Waste Act are a clear and effective example of this.

The Regulations dictate:

• Hazardous waste must be ‘recovered or disposed of without endangering human health, and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment’.

• Waste producers (i.e. business owners) must classify their waste and store hazardous waste separately from their

commercial waste

• .

• Waste producers must ensure that a licensed carrier collects their waste. This means you must work with a registered company, with the appropriate environmental permits.

Each time waste is collected, a consignment form must be filled out. Both the carrier and producer must keep a copy of this note.

Various industries produce hazardous waste on a daily basis; this includes construction companies and pharmacies. Thankfully, there are multiple steps you can take to dispose of hazardous workplace waste.

1. 1. Ensure all members of staff are aware of the importance of proper waste disposal.

1. 2. Classify and separate your waste.

1. 3. Use the appropriate bins and containers to store waste.

1. 4. Work with a licensed carrier to put together a waste collection schedule.

5. Fill out a consignment/waste transfer note. Ensure that all documents are kept on file for at least three years.

Hazardous waste should be stored safely and securely. This can stop unauthorised personnel from gaining access to the waste products and helps to protect the environment by reducing the chances of any leaks or spillages. When storing your hazardous waste, you should:

• Clearly label your waste. Keep an inventory of any waste that is stored on your property.

• Set up a designated waste area on-site, where all waste disposal bins will be stored.

• Keep hazardous and non-hazardous waste separate from each other.

• Ensure all bags or bins are tightly sealed.

• Arrange for regular waste collection to ensure that your bins are not overflowing with waste.

Perform regular maintenance checks on your storage area, ensuring none of the bins/containers have become damaged.

It may be that your company chooses to store its waste outside before collection. Thankfully, hazardous waste can be stored outside, so long as the area is kept secure. For example, the waste should be stored in the appropriate containers, inside a locked or gated area.

Various different containers can be used to store hazardous waste. This includes:

Yellow Hazardous Waste Bags. The bags are used for hazardous waste such as dressings and wipes, bandages and PPE.

Cytotoxic/Cytostatic Waste Bins. These bins are available in various sizes, from 2.5-50L. This includes products such as blister packs, medicinal vials and patches.

Wheelie bins. Hazardous waste wheelie bins are available in a range of sizes, from 120L-1100L. They are also available in different colours, to help you differentiate your waste.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC). Intermediate bulk containers are used to store up to 1000L of hazardous liquid waste, including chemical waste and sludge/slurries.

If you are looking to set up a hazardous waste storage area on your site, you will need to ensure you have easy access to the appropriate bins and containers. All hazardous waste must be kept separately from your general waste, perhaps at a different location on site. As mentioned previously, you should clearly label each bin to minimise the cross-contamination of waste. Finally, you should make sure that the general public cannot gain access to the waste.

At BusinessWaste, we’re on hand to help you set up a waste storage area for your business. Whether we chat over the phone, or head over for a site visit – we’ll work closely with you to find the best waste management solutions for your company.

When we collect your waste, we will ensure it is taken to the appropriate facility for disposal. Wherever possible, we avoid using landfills. There are various different (safe) methods of hazardous waste disposal. These include:

Incineration. Incineration is a process where waste is disposed of through burning. When certain hazardous wastes are incinerated, such as oils, they can be converted into energy sources. There are numerous benefits associated with incineration, newer incineration methods, such as ‘starved air incineration’ limit the production of gasses, while still breaking down products.

Recycling. Many recycling facilities are now able to take on hazardous waste; finding new uses for the products. This is much better for the environment and reduces the demands placed upon landfill sites.

As mentioned previously, certain types of hazardous waste can be recycled, though they must be first broken down/taken apart at a waste management facility. This includes items such as WEEE products, small electrical items and lead-acid batteries. If you are unsure whether your products can be recycled, you can send us any enquiries you have, and we’ll do the rest.

Hazardous waste is typically broken down into four categories.

Universal Wastes.

• Batteries, or equipment containing mercury.

Mixed Wastes. Waste that is deemed radioactive, or contains hazardous waste components.

Characteristic Wastes. Corrosive, toxic, or reactive waste.

Listed wastes as determined by the EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency). Wastes from the F List (waste from non-specific sources), or K List (source-specific waste).

The following characteristics classify hazardous waste:

Ignitability.

This characteristic refers to waste that is hazardous because it could potentially cause a fire during storage, transport or disposal. This includes items such as:

Fluorescent Tubes & Sodium Lamps. Sodium is an alkali metal, and alkali metals are renowned for being highly reactive substances. As a result, fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps are classified as hazardous as they are potentially flammable.

Contaminated Spills and Rags. Contaminated spills or rags belong in this category due to the materials they are contaminated with. This includes cleaning products, oils or paint – which are all potentially flammable.

Paint in Original Containers. Certain paints, such as varnish and polyurethane,
contain a high volume of flammable compounds, such as xylene, toluene. However, water-based paints, such as acrylic or vinyl paint, are non-flammable substances.

Oil and Fuel Filters. Oil fuels and filters are considered hazardous waste due to the fact that they are potentially flammable when they reach a specific temperature.

Corrosivity.

This characteristic refers to waste that is hazardous due to how it rusts or decomposes. This could include:

Lead Acid Batteries. Lead-acid, similar to sulfuric acid, poses a significant threat to the environment – this is because it can contaminate water sources.

Reactivity.

This characteristic refers to waste that is hazardous due to how reactive it is. For example, it could be considered potentially explosive. This could include:

Aerosols. In order to work, the liquid within aerosols is pressurised with a propellant. This means that if pierced, damaged or overheated – they could explode.

Plasterboard. Though it may not initially appear hazardous, plasterboard poses a threat to the environment if disposed of in a general landfill site. This is because plasterboard, and similar products such as drywall, contain gypsum. When gypsum is grouped with biodegradable wastes, it can produce highly toxic gas.

Toxicity.

This characteristic refers to waste that is hazardous due to the harm it can cause if ingested or absorbed.

Antifreeze and Brake Fluids. If ingested, antifreeze and brake fluids can cause serious harm to human health. This is because it contains high amounts of Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance.

Toner or Laser Cartridges. The vast majority of the products involved in making toner and laser cartridges can be recycled. However, they are classified as toxic, hazardous waste, because they contain potentially carcinogenic substances.

Inkjet Cartridges. Like toner cartridges, inkjet cartridges contain a variety of potentially dangerous, carcinogenic substances that can disrupt hormonal activity and cause a variety of illnesses.

Asbestos. Asbestos is considered a hazardous substance because it contains various toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, which are released if the asbestos is disturbed.

Other examples of hazardous waste include:

• Pesticides

• Solvents

• Laboratory waste

• Cleaning products

• Medical waste

WEEE products (Fridges, Freezers, Microwaves, Toasters)

Under government regulations, hazardous waste must be separated before disposal. This is because different kinds of waste must go through different disposal channels once collected. As a result, you are unable to mix hazardous waste.

There are various ways in which you can reduce the amount of hazardous waste you produce on site. This includes:

• Searching for alternative products that do not include hazardous materials or chemicals.

• Only buying the exact amount of materials you need, reducing the amount of surplus waste you produce.

• Safely reusing products whenever possible.

Sending any waste products to recycling facilities where they can be safely disposed of.