Posted on 4th October 2016 by Hintons
Disposing of hazardous waste correctly is crucially important for both businesses and domestic dwellings. Hazardous waste can negatively impact on the environment, which is why legislations were put in place to put an end to flytipping and incorrectly disposing of any waste considered to be hazardous. If you’re unsure of the correct protocol for hazardous waste disposal, then we can help.
Our expert team here at Hinton’s Waste have all the information you need to safely dispose of your hazardous waste.
What Is Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste comes in many different forms and is generally classified as anything that can be dangerous to the environment; waste that includes hazardous components is also deemed to be hazardous. Examples of hazardous waste include:
- Unset concrete
- Oil based paints and paint srippers
- Asbestos
- Oil, petrol or diesel
- Pesticides
- Car batteries
- Light bulbs
- Fridges
- Freezers
- Televisions and monitors
- Air conditioning units
If you’re unsure whether your waste is hazardous, you can classify it to find out, which we’ll discuss later on in this article.
Why Can’t I Just Throw Hazardous Waste In The Bin?
Hazardous waste that gets thrown into a bin or skip can end up in landfills where the dangerous elements in the materials can leak into the ground, nearby water sources, and through this into the food chain. Not only is this extremely dangerous for the environment and local wildlife, it could be harmful to humans too.
To avoid this, hazardous waste has to be handled carefully and disposed of in accordance with relevant health and safety laws. Usually, as much of the hazardous waste is reused as possible, and the elements that cannot be recycled or destroyed are transported to a landfill licensed to hold hazardous waste. This process helps to safeguard the environment.
Domestic Vs Commercial Hazardous Waste
There are different rules surrounding the disposal of domestic and commercial hazardous waste, normally due to the amounts of waste that need to be disposed of. Some domestic hazardous waste can be disposed of in the normal way, as long as the quantity is very low, whereas larger amounts of waste will need to be collected.
Commercial hazardous waste needs to be disposed of correctly, and a process needs to be followed exactly – the waste needs to be classified and recorded, and the establishment needs to be registered as a hazardous waste producer or holder – so it is imperative that the correct measures are always taken by businesses producing hazardous waste in order to avoid being fined or penalised for not obeying the law.
Classifying Hazardous Waste
Commercial hazardous waste must be properly classified and clearly labelled before it is sent to be recycled or disposed of. This helps others know the correct way to handle the waste in a safe manner. Things to include are:
- The waste classification code
- Nature, ie. whether it is hazardous or not
- Your business type
- Substance name
- How the waste was produced
- A chemical and physical analysis
- Any other relevant notes
This information, alongside the paperwork you are required to give to your waste collectors, is part of your duty of care, and must be completed.
A Professional Service
The best way to ensure you are complying with all legislation and disposing of hazardous waste safely is to use a professional service. By having experts handle your waste for you, you’re guaranteeing compliance with all relevant laws, and they’ll be able to assist you with classifying your waste and completing your care of duty correctly, resulting in a safe, conscientious disposal of hazardous waste.
Hinton’s Waste offer expert domestic and commercial hazardous waste disposal in Croydon and Sutton, dealing with hazardous waste disposal in a safe, law-abiding way using our licenced waste transfer facilities. We’ll come to your premises and collect your waste, taking care of all aspects of the process to make it as straightforward as possible for you. If you’d like more information, get in contact today and we’ll be happy to help.