Hazardous Waste Regulations
The Government working together with industry aims to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated in the UK and the hazardousness of such waste. Hazardous waste poses particular risks to health and the environment so it is especially important that they are managed properly. Hazardous waste currently forms around 2% of total waste arisings (Waste Strategy 2000).
What is Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains hazardous properties that may render it harmful to human health or the Environment. The European Commission has issued a Directive on the controlled management of such waste (91/689/EEC) and hazardous waste is defined on the basis of a list, the European Waste Catalogue, drawn up under that Directive. To help determine if your waste is hazardous or not consult the Environment Agency's guidance document WM2.
- European Waste Catalogue
- Environment Agency's guidance document WM2
If you produce more than 200 kg of Hazardous Waste per annum, you must register your business as a Hazardous Waste Producer with the Environment Agency and obtain a premises code, separate this waste from other waste streams, and ensure that it is properly treated prior to disposal. Registration is a simple process and costs just £18 if done on-line through the Environment Agency website.