Changes in Hazardous Waste Disposal in the UK

As from 16 July 2004, the European Landfill Directive has imposed new definitions on hazardous waste and the requirements for landfill disposal became much stricter.

As from 16th July last year, hazardous waste may only be disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill site, and all co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes has ceased.

• The number of landfills accepting hazardous waste reduced on July 2004 from 279 to 12
• There are no hazardous waste landfills in Wales or the south east England Region.

Is your waste hazardous waste? See the Environment Agency Guidance here to find out. Also see the Government's interpretation of the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002.

Since 16th July this year (2005), hazardous waste sent to landfill must not contain more than 6% of organic material.

About 30 non-hazardous waste sites have made applications to operate 'mono cells'. This will enable stable non-reactive hazardous wastes to be deposited within a non-hazardous landfill. However, the pre-treatment/stabilisation will have to be rigourous to meet the appropriate Waste Acceptance Criteria WAC.

Hazardous Waste Links

We have put together hazardous waste disposal links to the available guidance, and resources as follows:

This UK site has been developed as a portal with key information relating to changes in hazardous waste legislation.

Chartered Institution of Waste Management Hazardous Waste Briefing Note. (Note: Hazardous waste is known as “Special Waste” in the UK waste regulations.)

Hazardous Waste & Brownfield Development

Hazardous Waste in Wales

Hazardous Waste in the Construction Industry

Next 3 Months: Interim Guidance to the Scrap Metal (Recycling) Industry (3 Month Dispensation for Fragmented Vehicle Waste)

The ban on Co-Disposal of Hazardous and Non- Hazardous Waste - The implications for farmers

Guidance on Disposal of Waste in Non Hazardous Landfills

(February 2005) The Environment Agency has issued guidance on the principles and degrees of separation required for cells taking stable non-reactive hazardous wastes, asbestos wastes and gypsum wastes in non-hazardous landfills. The guidance relates to the period before and after 16th July 2005 and it is intended to be reviewed in July 2005.

See the Environment Agency Web Site here.

More about Hazardous Waste:

Hazardous wastes, referred to in the UK as special wastes, present an intrinsic risk to the environment and human health.

These include well recognised dangers such as asbestos, strong acids and pesticides, but also material such as used mobile phone batteries and engine oils.

Management of hazardous wastes is affected not only by the Landfill Directive and the Waste Management Regulations, but also the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regime, and the UK is committed through the Basel convention to minimise such wastes.

List of Landfill Sites Accepting Hazardous Wastes in 2002

Important:

Since July 2004 it has been illegal to dispose of hazardous waste by mixing it with non-hazardous waste.

As from July this year new limits placed on the organic content of hazardous waste when disposed, means that all hazardous waste must be treated before it is disposed of.

The EA is responsible for compliance: register here etc.

Enviros Consulting provides a full PPC permit application and review planning service. Here ...