Hazardous waste is generated by most businesses and includes items such as fluorescent tubes and computer monitors, as well as more obvious materials such as solvents and chemicals. This type of waste used to be called “special waste”.
Examples of hazardous wastes include:
- asbestos
- chemical wastes
- infectious healthcare wastes
- electrical equipment containing hazardous components
- such as cathode ray tubes or lead solder
- fluorescent light tubes
- lead-acid batteries
- oily sludge
- pesticides
- solvents
If your business produces hazardous waste it should not be mixed withnon-hazardous waste. It is also best practice to use a contractor who can provide specialist collection and disposal services as hazardous waste can only be disposed of.
You must register your premises with the Environment Agency before you allow any hazardous waste to leave your premises.
Your premises may be exempt from registering if:
- your premises are an office, a shop, used for the collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment, or a dental, veterinary or medical practice, a farm or a ship. and;
- you produce less than 500kg of hazardous waste in any 12-month period
If you produce hazardous waste on a farm, you do not need to register unless you produce more than 500kg a year. This limit will be reviewed.
Even if you are exempt from registering, you must still have a HazardousWaste Note (HWN) to accompany hazardous waste. These can be obtained from the Environment Agency. As a producer it is your responsibility to ensure that the HWN is completed in accordance with the regulations.
N.B. These regulations are complex and we strongly advise any companies unsure of their obligations to contact the Environment Agency or Envirowise