Think your business doesn’t need hazardous waste collections? It may be time to think again.
The strict regulations which cover this type of waste don’t just include drums of chemicals or electrical and electronic items.
Hazardous waste collections are needed for waste paint containing organic solvents, waste paint, and varnish remover, contaminated paint filters, waste adhesives and sealants containing solvents, waste engine oils, and waste diesel, petrol, and brake fluid.
Some of the businesses that require hazardous waste collections:
- Garages and body shops
- Farms
- Upcyclers and furniture restorers
- Manufacturers
- Painters and decorators
- Flooring companies
- Construction companies
- Plumbers and tilers
What do government regulations say about hazardous waste collections?
Your business has a duty of care to the environment, your staff, and the public under the hazardous waste regulations.
Hazardous waste must be classified correctly, stored appropriately and safely, and you must use a licensed carrier to transport the waste to a licensed treatment facility.
You must have the correct information about the source of the waste and its destination on its consignment note, too.
Businesses that contravene these regulations face substantial fines.
Sentencing guidelines for the majority of environmental offences were strengthened by guidance issued in 2014.
Fines can now be over £20 million for the most serious offences involving large companies. For smaller businesses with less serious offences, a fine could still be in the tens of thousands of pounds.
Read more about the hazardous waste regulations.
How can an experienced waste transfer company help you?
Experienced waste transfer businesses, such as Inspire Waste Management, help you navigate the complex regulations surrounding hazardous business waste and keep your business on the right side of the law.
Our waste management consultants, who are always on top of the latest changes to the regulations, can audit your business and help you find the right solutions.
We’ll help you categorize your waste correctly, store it properly, and send it to the right facility whether you need us to collect hazardous waste from a farm in a rural area or business premises.
We’ll also ensure your consignment notes are accurate.
Our clients receive all the paperwork they need to create an audit trail to show their waste is being handled correctly.
Here are some useful questions to ask a prospective waste transfer company:
- What ISO accreditations do you hold? Inspire Waste holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 27001. They show the highest standards in quality management, environmental management, and information security management.
- Are you a licensed carrier under hazardous waste regulations? Any unlicensed carrier is breaching those regulations, so ensure you see their licence.
- What facilities will you use to dispose of the waste? You need to ensure they take the waste to a properly licensed facility.
