Q: What is waste?
A: Waste is defined for the propose of the UK Waste Management Regulations as:
- Any substance or object that you discard, intend to discard, or are required to discard is waste and as such is subject to a number of regulatory requirements.
- Even if material is sent for recycling or undergoes treatment in-house, it can still be waste. [The term ‘discard’ has a special meaning in the Waste Management Regs.]
- Whether or not a particular material is waste is for the person producing it to decide.
Q: What are hazards?
A: A hazard is something with potential to cause harm.
Q: Who are WAMITAB?
WAMITAB is the organisation responsible for the scheme for demonstrating competence for managers of operational facilities. All UK Waste Management facilities must be operated by such a “technically competent person”.
This is based on firstly achieving a vocational qualification and then being awarded the Certificate of Technical Competence (COTC) by WAMITAB. The scheme was implemented within the framework of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, whereby managers of those facilities covered by a waste management licence need to hold a Certificate of Technical Competence (COTC), unless a specific exemption applies.
In addition to the above, WAMITAB has recently developed occupational standards and vocational qualifications for waste management operatives involved with waste collection, landfill and treatment.
Q: What is the background to the recent changes in UK hazardous waste disposal?
A: The Landfill Directive, introduced in 2002, banned certain wastes from landfill, and reclassified landfill sites into three categories of:
- inert;
- hazardous; or
- non hazardous waste.
From July 2004, a further requirement of the legislation was introduced banning co-disposal – preventing hazardous and non-hazardous waste being disposed together and at the same site.
From July 2005, hazardous waste will only be acceptable at appropriate landfill sites, once it has been pre-treated and is acceptable under the terms of another part of the Landfill Directive: the Waste Acceptance Criteria.
Q: What is the EU Hazardous Waste Directive
A: The Hazardous Waste Directive (HWD) aims to provide a precise and uniform definition of ‘hazardous waste’ to apply across the European Union, to reduce confusion and streamline the current systems. This is in the process of being implemented in the UK and will redefine what hazardous waste is.
Many items that weren’t previously defined as hazardous now will be. This means that companies and organizations who previously never had their rubbish/waste classed as hazardous, now will.
Q: What is the result of the Hazardous Waste Directive, and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive?
A: The implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, means that companies who manufacture and supply electrical and electronic equipment are in principle ultimately responsible for disposing of it once it breaks down.
For example, in principle, whoever buys a Television or Computer, is entitled to take it back to the shop from which he bought it to have it disposed of when it breaks down and can’t be fixed, or reaches the end of its life.
The Future of UK Food Waste Management – Simpler Collections and Tougher Regulation
The future of UK food waste management will be a big push toward higher recycling rates through simpler collection and far greater consistency across the nations, helping citizens understand how to be green and recycle more organic waste. As the UK continues to advance its environmental goals, recently announced government policies aimed at simplifying waste […]
Cost of Commercial Waste Disposal UK: Keeping the Numbers Low: What UK Rubbish Really Costs
Managing rubbish costs money. UK companies know this too well, as they deal with heaps of trash every day. Every year, these businesses create 27.5 million tonnes of commercial waste and 13.6 million tonnes of industrial waste – that’s a mountain weighing 41.1 million tonnes! Tossing all that waste can eat up to 4-5% of […]
Can You Take Plaster to the Tip? Guidelines and Restrictions for Disposing of Plaster and Plasterboard Waste
Plaster and plasterboard are common in building and fixing up homes. These materials can’t just be thrown out like regular rubbish. Some recycling places take them, but you need to know the rules first. Plasterboard should not go to a landfill as it’s against the law due to environmental concerns. Also, some dangers come with […]
Sustainable Organic Waste Disposal is More Than Just a Diversion
In recent years waste management experts often talk about diverting organic waste from landfills. In this article, we explain why diversion is just the first step in a virtuous circle toward much more sustainable organic waste disposal. Read on to find out why sustainable organic waste disposal is more than just a matter of diversion. […]
