Business Waste
No.1 for COSHH Waste Disposal

COSHH Waste Disposal

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) legally requires businesses in the UK to prevent or reduce the exposure of harmful and hazardous substances to workers. It covers many materials that can harm human health, which your company creates and/or uses. This includes various types of hazardous and chemical waste.

Proper storage, removal, and disposal of COSHH waste is vital for any such harmful substances to ensure it’s managed in line with these regulations. Arrange safe, legal, and responsible COSHH waste disposal with Business Waste. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for a free quote for COSHH waste collection and disposal anywhere in the UK.

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Get a fast FREE quote for your COSHH waste collections.

  • Free quote within 1 hr
  • Any type of COSHH waste
  • FREE bins and delivery
  • We cover all of the UK

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COSHH waste disposal
Collections across the UK

COSHH waste management

Effective COSHH waste management involves preventing or reducing the exposure of workers to hazardous substances. This includes all stages, from the creation and use of such materials to their storage and disposal. Your responsibilities as a business for effective COSHH waste management include:

  • Determining the health hazards of any harmful substances
  • Undertaking a risk assessment to decide ways to prevent harm to health
  • Using control measures to reduce risks of harm to health
  • Reviewing and updating control measures to ensure they’re effective
  • Training workers and others in COSHH use, storage, and disposal
  • Providing monitoring and health surveillance, where relevant
  • Planning for emergencies

Controlling exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace should be a priority for any organisation. It helps ensure your operations protect the health of your workforce and that your business complies with COSHH regulations to act safely and legally. When it comes to waste management this includes using the appropriate containers to store such waste.

There must be specific storage space for all COSHH substances on your site in a place and way that minimises the risk of exposure. Restricted access and strong security measures can further help ensure safe and compliant COSHH waste management. Removal and disposal by licensed waste carriers completes the cycle of responsible COSHH waste management.

COSHH bins

Using the best type of COSHH bin is vital to ensure strict and safe control of such waste. There are many types and sizes of COSHH waste bins available to suit the needs of your business. Find a solution whether your produce just a small amount of one kind of chemical waste or regularly generate high volumes of various hazardous waste types.

We provide free COSHH bins and containers for your business. There are no rental or delivery fees – you only pay for collection. Choose from a wide range of COSH waste bin types and sizes and arrange a removal schedule that suits your needs. Enjoy efficient and cost-effective management of your COSHH waste.

Speak to one of our expert team if you require a specific COSHH waste container or bin. Otherwise, explore our selection and find the best COSHH bin for your waste:

View all bins
  • Waste drums

    Barrels and drums are available in various sizes to store chemical and hazardous waste safely

    oil waste
  • IBC containers

    Large containers that can hold high volumes of liquid chemical and hazardous waste

    IBC
  • Clinical waste bins

    Explore bins and bags to store all types of solid and liquid harmful clinical waste

    CLINICAL WASTE

COSHH products and items

There are all sorts of COSHH products covered by the regulations as it includes many materials and substances used in workplaces that could harm health. COSHH items could be dust, gases, liquids, gels, solids, or powders that can cause an infection or reaction. Many substances can harm human health but rarely do due to proper use and control.

Many COSHH items that can contain harmful substances could be used daily by your business, while others might only be used sparingly. Expired chemicals are a common type of COSHH waste, but the category also covers paint, empty gas canisters, and oily rags. Some of the main types of COSHH waste include:

  • Chemical waste – bottles or jars of chemical waste, such as sodium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and glycerol
  • Aerosols – aerosol bottles used for deodorant, paint, and cleaning products
  • Paints – empty paint tins and paint can contain harmful substances
  • Fluorescent tubes – these light tubes contain hazardous materials
  • Oils – the likes of engine oil and oily rags are covered by the COSHH regulations
  • Gas bottles and canisters – empty and expired canisters contain various harmful gases
  • Adhesives – glue, sealants, and industrial adhesives require safe storage and disposal

Despite being harmful to human health there are certain substances not covered by the COSHH regulations. This is because they have their own separate regulations that cover their use, management, and disposal. Exemptions from COSHH regulations include:

bottles and jars of chemicals on shelves in a lab.

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COSHH storage

Hazardous substances and harmful materials must be stored in a way that minimises the risk of exposure. COSHH bins and containers should be kept in a secure location, ideally in a locked cabinet or room. There should be specific COSH storage spaces on your premises with strict security measures implemented.

Where possible it’s best to keep chemicals and hazardous materials in the original bottles and containers they’re supplied in. Businesses can buy and use specific COSHH cabinets to ensure compliant storage and control. You must keep any COSHH substances separate from other materials and ensure only authorised personnel have access to COSHH cabinets.

The storage area should have a clear exit in case of an emergency and be close to washing facilities. You should check your COSHH storage space regularly (ideally every day) to there are no spillages, leaks, or other damage. Arrange a cleaning rota at least once a week for your COSHH storage space for greater control over the space.

bottles and jars of chemicals on a shelf.

What are the 
COSHH regulations?

The COSHH regulations were first introduced in 1988 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK. It aimed to build on the work done by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to reduce ill health in and from workplace conditions through a framework for controlling hazardous substances.

There have been various amendments to the legislation since its introduction. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 is the most recent iteration, which came into force in January 2005. These regulations lay down the law for employers to control hazardous substances in the workplace – including the restriction or prevention of any risk harmful substances present to employees and workers.

COSHH regulations cover the key responsibilities of employers regarding the management of hazardous substances. Businesses must ensure their operations and the control of hazardous substances are compliant with the COSHH regulations. Any breaches or poor implementation could lead to prosecution by the HSE and even civil claims from employees.

Learn about hazardous waste management

How does COSHH 
waste collection work?

  1. Select your free bins

    It’s quick and easy to organise commercial waste collection for your business.

    Simply start by telling us the:

    • Type of waste you need removing
    • Size of bins you require
    • Number of bins you want

    We’ll provide you with a free quote.

  2. Arrange delivery

    When you’re happy with the type, number, and size of free bins, tell us when you need your bins delivering.

    Let us know about any access issues where you want the bins delivering – such as locked gates, access codes and times. We’ll get you up and running in no time.

  3. Fill up your bin

    After the free bins arrive at your chosen location, fill them up with the agreed waste type.

    Make sure you remain within any weight limits for the specific waste type and bin size.

  4. Get your business waste collected

    We’ll arrange waste collection at a time and frequency to suit you and the amount of waste you have.

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Who needs COSHH 
waste collection?

Any business that produces or uses items covered by the COSHH regulations must ensure responsible storage, collection, and disposal of such waste. It could be a shop with a few expired cans of deodorant that can’t be sold or a laboratory with barrels of waste chemicals. Arranging collection of any COSHH waste by licensed waste carriers is vital.

Most types of waste covered by the COSHH regulations can be stored in their own streams, such as containers of chemical waste, bins of old aerosols, and barrels of oil. Follow the advice for safe storage and arrange collection by licensed waste carriers to ensure your management of such waste is compliant with the regulations.

Some of the main places that need COSHH waste collection and examples include:

How is COSHH waste 
disposed of?

Disposing of COSHH waste depends on the specific type of waste. For example, chemical waste can be disposed of through reclamation and chemical or thermal treatments, while oil waste might go through dewatering, filtering, and distilling. The likes of aerosols are drained of their liquid before the metal can is cleaned and recycled.

All waste will be disposed of in safe, legal, and responsible methods that avoid harming the environment or human health. No COSHH items go to landfill, as the harmful substances could leach into the local ground, water, and air. That’s why you must use licensed waste carriers to ensure relevant waste is disposed of in line with COSHH regulations.

Learn about chemical waste disposal
woman in laboratory working with chemicals.

Arrange COSHH waste collection

Book COSHH waste collection from your business to ensure all harmful substances your organisation uses are managed and controlled properly to the point of disposal. At Business Waste we use licensed waste carriers to remove your waste. Request a free no obligation quote tailored to the type and amount of waste you need removing.

We provide a wide range of free bins and containers for your COSHH waste – you only pay for its collection. Daily, weekly, and fortnightly collections of all types and amounts of waste covered by the COSHH regulations are available anywhere in the UK with Business Waste.

Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for a free quote to get rid of your harmful waste safely and legally. Speak to one of our friendly and expert team if you’ve got any questions or want some advice about COSHH waste.

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COSHH waste FAQs

  • lab waste What does COSHH stand for?

    COSHH is an acronym that stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

  • lab waste What types of waste does COSHH cover?

    COSHH covers many types of substances that are potentially hazardous to human health if not controlled or managed safely. This includes:

    • Chemicals
    • Products containing chemicals
    • Fumes, vapours, and mists
    • Dust
    • Gases and asphyxiating gases
    • Biological agents (germs)
    • Nanotechnology
  • lab waste Is bleach covered by COSHH?

    Bleach is covered by COSHH as it’s a hazardous substance. Bleach can irritate the eyes and skin when it’s used, so all relevant regulations must be followed during its use in the workplace. This includes who can use bleach, where it’s stored, and how its disposal is managed.

free bins icon.

Get a free COSHH waste collection quote

Get a fast FREE quote for your COSHH waste collections

  • Free quote within 1 hr
  • Any type of COSHH waste
  • FREE bins and delivery
  • We cover all of the UK