No matter what form of commercial project you’re undertaking, all waste that your project generates needs to be disposed of correctly. Admittedly, there are various ways in which materials can be disposed of; can they be recycled? Can they be reused? Should they go to landfill?
Hazardous waste materials such as paint, solvents, oil, pesticides, detergents, chemicals and batteries, are unwanted materials that can have life and environmentally-threatening consequences! There are different disposal methods which offer suitability for safely recycling these materials in the safest and correct manner.
Did you know that you are responsible for separating your hazardous waste from your general waste? Discover everything you need to know about safe hazardous waste disposal here!
Storing hazardous waste
When storing hazardous materials, it’s essential that you use specialised equipment – whether it’s a container or a drum – you have the responsibility of keeping the waste secured and locked away – preventing any harm or pollution! You must also label the container with a suitable description, ensuring other people know exactly what is inside (therefore you’re not compromising their safety either) and making it easier for when someone collects your hazardous waste.
Waste collections
Are you working on a construction site?
North West Waste can arrange to collect ALL your hazardous waste – providing you with a Full Duty of Care documentation pack. There is no need for you to disrupt your project, NWWC will arrange to collect any waste at your convenience.
Audit trails Duty of Care
It is advisable for you to record as much detail as you can with regards to any hazardous waste that you have produced – right up until it is disposed of (Duty of Care). If you have a record for the safe disposal of hazardous waste, it should be kept safe and organised. If you are removing any hazardous materials, you must have a signed consignment note and once the waste has been dealt with a consignee return will be sent out to you (these must be kept for 3 years).
At North West Waste Consultants, we understand that the regulations are not straightforward, hence why we provide you with a wealth of industry expertise and information that can educate you on the importance of hazardous waste disposal.
If you require a waste disposal plan, North West Waste Consultants can ensure that you’re following the suitable procedure and have the correct documentation for the disposal of your hazardous waste. Please call the office on 01744 758349 or simply click on the link below.
Take a look around you, hazardous waste is everywhere and it’s more than likely that your business will produce some form of hazardous waste on a daily basis be it printer ink, chemical solvents or construction materials.
The starting point for any discussion about waste management has to be any legislation that has changed the industry. Perhaps most crucial, is the EU Waste Framework Directive, which came into force in December 2008. EU directives have provided long-term vision and guidance for waste management in the UK, particularly in terms of recycling and environmental risks and hazards.
Indeed, the EU directives require all EU member states to prevent or reduce waste products and encourage the recovery of waste by recycling, reuse or reclamation where possible.
Other legislation that businesses should be aware of are:
A material is considered to be waste when the producer or holder discards it, intends to discard it, or is required to discard it.
Businesses must be contracted to a registered waste carrier to collect their waste; these registered carriers must be registered with the Environment Agency – and it is the responsibility of the business to ensure that those who remove waste, have the authority to do so. Registered waste carriers will issue a Waste Carrier Note, which businesses must keep for two year – it is essential that these are kept, as local councils can legal ask to show these – failure to do so can lead to an unlimited fine.
If your business deals with food, it is essential to know the rules on this, as there are strict rules on animal by-products and other potentially dangerous contaminants.
Other forms of waste maybe hazardous too – if it contains things such as batteries, solvents, chemicals, oils or pesticides – then this may need to be disposed of through special means, due to the environment damage or contamination that it can cause. Check here for more information.
Electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) waste, is another major problem for businesses in the modern world. This is complex due to the many components that they contain, and not only do they do not biodegrade, but they can also contain contaminants – things like printer ink, or cathode ray tubes, for example. Much of can be repurposed, when using specialist WEEE waste experts. For more information on this, and to check on what types of waste this is and how to go about disposing of it – check here.
Waste management can be a major headache for any firm, but with some research and a logical approach – it can help businesses save money and help the environment.
OK, so what is hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste materials such as paint, solvents, oil, pesticides, detergents, chemicals and batteries, are unwanted materials that can have life and environmentally-threatening consequences! There are different disposal methods which offer suitability for safely recycling these materials, in a way that preserves the environment and doesn’t cause any implications for wildlife either.
Did you know that you are responsible for separating your hazardous waste from your general waste? Discover everything you need to know about safe hazardous waste disposal here!