Managing hazardous waste

If hazardous waste is being produced by your company, then it’s your responsibility to make sure there is a practicable waste management system put in place to remove it. Failure to do so can result in damage to the environment and harm to human health. 

Hazardous waste can come in many forms such as solid, liquid, sludge and even contained gases. Whatever form it takes, there is a risk that it could contaminate groundwater and surface water supplies. This in turn can present a threat to human and environmental health. As a result, the UK government has outlined strict requirements for the monitoring and managing of hazardous waste.

Fortunately, we’ve teamed up with 8 yard skip supplier Reconomy to bring you the following guide that should help you plan a suitable waste management system for your hazardous waste. 

The Types of Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste comes commonly in the following types: industry, construction, demolition and agriculture. There are many different examples of hazardous waste, including but not limited to: asbestos, batteries, brake fluid, printer toner, pesticides, solvents, oils, and ozone-depleting substances (such as those found in some fridges). 

If these types of materials are being produced or stored within your company, then you have a duty of care and responsibility for these materials. 

Before you start implementing an effective hazardous waste management strategy, you’ll first need to identify what the substance is. This should then be stored separately from your general waste, as well as any other types of hazardous material.

Safely store it
The first thing to aim for, is to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that your company produces. But for any that is unavoidable, it should be stored and labelled clearly so that anyone on-site knows what it is. To prevent contamination, waterproof covers should be used to prevent any run off. 

You should make sure each type of hazardous waste is stored separately, and barriers or bunds should be used for any liquids to prevent leakages and spillages. For the duration of these materials being stored on-site, regular checks should be carried out to ensure the containers are not damaged or leaking.

It’s best to keep a classified inventory of the hazardous waste on-site too, so that if an emergency occur, then you have information available for the emergency services.

Keeping-record
Hazardous waste needs to be noted for when it’s collected, so you will need to fill out a consignment note. This note needs completing before the waste is collected. 

A consignment note is required for:

• Moving hazardous waste from one site to another within the same organisation. 

• Collecting waste produced by another business on a customer’s premises and needs moving. 

• Collecting waste from register waste carrier businesses. 

A consignment is not required for:

• Moving domestic hazardous waste. Asbestos is exempt from this and requires a consignment note. 

• Waste that is covered by a different movement note due to having been imported and exported under international shipment controls.

Details for the consignment note

To correctly fill out your consignment note, you need to accurately detail the following:

• A description of the waste.

• How much it weighs, in kilos. For liquid, use the appropriate volumes. 

• The chemical and biological composition of the waste. 

• The form the hazardous waste takes: solid, liquid, gas, sludge, powder, etc. 

Pay
After you’ve filled out the note, you’ll then need to pay the fee. For England and Wales, the fee is £10 per collection, or £5 per collection within a milk round. For Scotland and Northern Ireland though, the fee is usually £15. 

For more information, visit www.reconomy.com