Hazardous Waste Guide
Many businesses in various industries generate hazardous waste – from chemicals used in schools and laboratories to oil and cleaning products in garages. Knowing how to store, remove, and dispose of any kind of hazardous waste is essential to protect people from exposure to dangerous materials and to look after the environment.
Some hazardous items are obvious like chemicals and asbestos, but others are less clear. To help you understand what classifies as hazardous waste and how to get rid of it responsibly we’ve put together this guide. Learn how to dispose of hazardous waste and manage it safely with these expert answers to common questions about such materials.
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Contents
- How to dispose of hazardous waste
- How should hazardous waste be stored?
- Can hazardous waste be stored outside?
- Where should you store drums of hazardous waste?
- How can I dispose of hazardous waste in the workplace?
- How much does hazardous waste disposal cost?
- Can hazardous waste be recycled?
- What are the four types of hazardous waste?
- How is hazardous waste classified?
How to dispose of hazardous waste
To dispose of hazardous waste you must take special care and precautions due to its dangerous nature. Disposing of hazardous substances and materials can’t be done in the same way as general waste or other rubbish types. Inappropriate hazardous waste management can lead to devastating effects for the public, the environment, and your business.
Follow these five steps to dispose of hazardous waste:
- Check the hazardous waste classification – Detail the contents before disposing of hazardous substances and materials. For this, you need the waste classification code, which you can find on the government website to see if it’s hazardous or not. You also need to detail the substance name(s), where it was produced, the process, a chemical and physical analysis, and any other information.
- Separate and store hazardous waste safely – Use separate hazardous waste containers for different rubbish types. Label each one and store them in a secure and dry place. Getting a hazardous waste container from an authorised carrier is best, as this should ensure it’s safe and legally compliant by being sealable and waterproof.
- Arrange authorised collection – Waste carriers must be registered to collect and dispose of hazardous waste, while the waste sites where it goes need environmental permits. Check this through the government and Environment Agency websites.
- Complete a hazardous waste consignment note – To move your potentially dangerous rubbish it must have a hazardous waste consignment note. This stays with the waste until it gets to the site for disposal or recycling. Fill in a hazardous waste consignment note and leave it with the carrier.
- Get your hazardous waste collected – After safely storing your hazardous waste, move it to the agreed collection spot ahead of time for safe and efficient removal. Keep a record on your premises for at least three years of the hazardous waste, just to be safe.
How should hazardous waste be stored?
Hazardous waste should be stored safely and securely in dedicated hazardous waste bins or containers. This reduces the risk of unauthorised personnel accessing it, exposure to harmful contents, and contamination. It also helps protect the environment by reducing the chances of any leaks or spillages. To store hazardous waste properly you should:
- Clearly label hazardous waste. Keep an inventory of any waste stored on your premises.
- Set up a designated waste area onsite, ideally undercover, where all waste disposal bins, bags, and containers are kept.
- Keep hazardous and non-hazardous waste separate from each other.
- Ensure all hazardous waste bins and containers are tightly sealed.
- Arrange regular hazardous waste collection to ensure containers don’t overflow.
- Perform frequent maintenance checks on your storage area, ensuring no hazardous waste containers become damaged.
Can hazardous waste be stored outside?
Hazardous waste can be stored outside, as long as the area is kept secure. For example, hazardous waste should be stored in the appropriate containers, inside a locked or gated area. Ideally, you should store any hazardous waste containers outside under a roof to keep them as safe as possible.
Where should you store drums of hazardous waste?
It’s best to store drums of hazardous waste indoors where possible. This reduces the chance of contamination due to rainwater, the lid blowing off in the wind, or vandalism. Safe hazardous waste containers should be durable and sealable, so you can store them outside if inside is not an option. Clearly label each drum for additional safety too.
How can I dispose of hazardous
waste in the workplace?
Various industries and workplaces produce hazardous waste daily. This includes construction companies, laboratories, and pharmacies. Every workplace that creates hazardous waste must store, remove, and dispose of it properly. There are multiple steps you can take to dispose of hazardous workplace waste safely:
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- Ensure all members of staff are aware of the importance of proper hazardous waste storage and disposal.
- Classify and separate your hazardous waste.
- Use the appropriate bins and containers to store hazardous waste.
- Work with a licensed carrier to put together a waste collection schedule.
- Fill out a consignment/waste transfer note. Ensure that all documents are kept on file for at least three years.
How much does hazardous waste disposal cost?
The cost of hazardous waste disposal depends on a few factors. These include the types of hazardous materials you need to get rid of, how much you want to dispose of, and how often you require collections. Your location in the UK can also impact hazardous waste disposal costs.
The easiest way to find out how much hazardous waste disposal could cost your business is to get a free bespoke quote from Business Waste. Simply provide these details and we’ll provide a price tailored to your exact needs. You can save money as we offer free bins for hazardous waste with no delivery or hire charges – you only pay for collection.
Can hazardous waste
be recycled?
Certain types of hazardous waste can be recycled. However, they must first be 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’re unsure whether your hazardous waste can be recycled, send us any enquiries and we’ll do the rest.
What are the four types of hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste is typically broken down into four categories:
- Universal wastes – batteries, or equipment containing mercury.
- Mixed wastes– waste deemed radioactive or that 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).
How is hazardous waste classified?
The following characteristics classify hazardous waste:
- Ignitability– this characteristic refers to waste that’s hazardous as it could potentially cause a fire during storage, transport, or disposal. This includes items such as:
- Fluorescent tubes and 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’re potentially flammable.
- Contaminated spills and rags – contaminated spills or rags are ignitable due to the materials they’re contaminated with. This includes cleaning products, oils, or paint – which are all potentially flammable.
- Paint in original containers– certain paints (like varnish and polyurethane) contain a high volume of flammable compounds, such as xylene and toluene. Water-based paints, such as acrylic or vinyl paint, are non-flammable substances.
- Oil and fuel filters – oil fuels and filters are hazardous waste as they’re 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, like sulfuric acid, poses a significant threat to the environment because it can contaminate water sources.
- Reactivity – waste that’s hazardous due to how reactive it is. For example, it could be considered potentially explosive. This could include:
- Aerosols – the liquid within aerosols is pressurised with a propellant. 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 landfill. 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 – waste that’s hazardous due to the harm it can cause if ingested or absorbed. It may include:
- 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 – most products involved in making toner and laser cartridges can be recycled. However, they’re classified as toxic hazardous waste because they contain potentially carcinogenic substances.
- Inkjet cartridges – like toner cartridges, inkjet cartridges contain various potentially dangerous carcinogenic substances that can disrupt hormonal activity and cause illnesses.
- Asbestos is a hazardous substance because it contains various toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, which are released if the asbestos is disturbed.
Can you mix hazardous waste?
You cannot mix hazardous waste. Under government regulations, hazardous waste must be separated before disposal. This is because different kinds of waste go through different disposal channels once collected. Mixing would contaminate waste streams and potentially lead to exposure to dangerous materials. As a result, you’re unable to mix hazardous waste.
How can you reduce hazardous waste?
There are various ways you can reduce the amount of hazardous waste your business produces. These include:
- Searching for alternative products that don’t include hazardous materials or chemicals.
- Only buying the exact amount of materials you need, reducing the volume of surplus waste you produce.
- Safely reusing products whenever possible.
- Sending any hazardous waste products to recycling facilities where they can be disposed of safely.
What is toxic waste?
Toxic waste is a type of hazardous waste that’s extremely dangerous, potentially causing humans and animals death, injury, or birth defects. It is also very harmful and can pollute the environment due to the harmful toxins it gives off.
UK law requires that all organisations store and dispose of the toxic waste they produce safely and appropriately, using a qualified provider, due to its harmful nature. As an employer, you have a legal ‘duty of care’ to make sure the toxic waste your company produces and handles causes no harm or damage.
What’s the difference between toxic
and hazardous waste?
All toxic waste classes as hazardous waste, but not all hazardous waste is toxic. Toxic waste is only harmful and potentially fatal to humans and other living organisms when it’s absorbed or ingested. Hazardous waste generally contains a lower level of harmful substances, which can be dangerous when it’s released into the air, water, or land.
Is plasterboard hazardous waste?
Plasterboard is not classed as hazardous waste. However, it should not go into general waste and has been banned from landfills in England (since 2005) as it contains the sulphate gypsum. When it becomes wet or mixes with biodegradable waste it can release the toxic gas hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
If you need to dispose of plasterboard, speak to one of our expert team and they can arrange a solution that’s safe, efficient, and avoids your plasterboard waste heading to landfill.
Why is electronic waste hazardous?
Hazardous materials such as mercury and lead are found within a wide range of electronic items. This means most electronic waste (WEEE waste) classes as hazardous waste. They may also include other potentially toxic chemicals such as cadmium, beryllium, and brominated or polybrominated flame retardant.
Metal, plastic, and glass parts are recyclable as normal, but these hazardous elements require specialist and safe treatment before disposal.
What is non-hazardous waste?
Non-hazardous waste is any waste that doesn’t harm human health or the environment. Usually, it’s recyclable or decomposes naturally and has no toxic traits. There are therefore many kinds of non-hazardous waste. However, some non-hazardous waste can still be offensive, such as used nappies. Examples of non-hazardous waste include:
- Food waste
- Cardboard and paper recycling
- Glass waste
- Dry mixed recycling
- Old clothes and textiles
Is paint hazardous waste?
Paint is a hazardous waste as it’s harmful to humans and the environment if disposed of improperly. It contains heavy metals like mercury and cadmium that can be toxic and poisonous even at low concentrations. Some paints, such as gloss paint, are also flammable, which is another hazardous characteristic.
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Published 12th March 2025 by Graham Matthews.