It’s crucial that hazardous waste is effectively managed in any industry or business. Some examples of hazardous waste include asbestos, chemicals, batteries, solvents, pesticides, and equipment that contains ozone-depleting substances. The Environment Agency has strict rules and protocols in relation to hazardous waste management for UK businesses to follow.
There are certain steps you can take to ensure waste disposal is carried out properly without impacting people’s safety or harming the environment. Follow these hazardous waste management steps to learn how to manage hazardous waste effectively.
1. Classify Your Waste
It’s important to identify and classify all hazardous waste before determining a disposal route. There are certain details to cover when categorising waste items and these include:
- Whether it’s hazardous.
- The waste classification code.
- The name of the substance.
- The name of the business where the waste was produced.
- The process or action that produced the waste.
- Special knowledge or requirements related to the item.
- A chemical and physical analysis of the waste.
2. Separate and Store Waste
Different types of hazardous waste should be separated from others by experienced specialist professionals. Please note that it’s illegal to mix hazardous waste with other hazardous or non-hazardous substances. Ensure the waste is stored in a secure place and use suitable containers that will stop the waste from escaping. We recommend labelling the containers for easy waste identification.
3. Contact An Authorised Waste Carrier
Contact a registered waste carrier that can dispose of your waste at an authorised site. Your business is still responsible for the disposal of waste even after it has left the premises, so it’s important to ensure the carrier holds relevant environmental permits for its site. Once you contact the waste carrier, they’ll arrive at the business at a pre-scheduled time and transport the materials to an appropriate facility for processing. All waste must be suitably classified, and documented. You may need to have the waste sampled to obtain this information as you will need to have the waste classification code on hand and any other special details to show the carrier.
If you plan on taking your hazardous waste to a landfill, contact the site in advance to ensure they take all forms of hazardous waste. Some landfills refuse items if they’re flammable or corrosive. You also need to have a waste carriers licence to transport any type of non- domestic waste legally.
4. Fill-in A Consignment Note
The documentation you require is called a consignment note. You need to fill in a consignment note if you’re moving the waste from one premises to another or from a customer premises that produces waste, or if your waste is being collected by a registered carrier. This consignment form stays with the hazardous waste until it reaches its destination.
5. Keep Records
Make sure you keep records of the hazardous waste disposal for up to three years afterwards for necessary consultation. Keep these records at the premises that produced or stored the waste.
Follow these hazardous waste disposal procedures to ensure you handle your waste safely. We recommend you hire hazardous waste management experts that can support you through the process and take care of your waste on your behalf. Robert Hopkins Environmental is a provider of hazardous waste collection and disposal services in the UK. Contact us today for more information.
