By clicking "Accept" you agree to the use of cookies.
Accept Reject

Privacy Preference Center

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. More Information.

Manage Consent Preferences

Updating Preferences

Please wait whilst we update your preferences...

Qualify Too Reduce Your Waste Disposal Costs?
Find Out Now.

%%INSERTTEXT0%%

%%INSERTTEXT0%%

You could save £1000s

  • %%INSERTTEXT0%%
  • %%INSERTTEXT1%%
  • %%INSERTTEXT2%%
What type of waste do you need to dispose of?
 
Complete our short form. It only takes a minute
Unfortunately you didn't select your third party marketing preferences.
Please confirm if you would be happy to be contacted by our Trusted Third Parties by SMS, Email & Telephone regarding Third Party Services.
Trusted Third Party Service Providers
%#GeneratedText##ThirdPartyUl#%
Our Partners
  • Business Companion Limited
  • Waste Basics Limited
  • CheaperWaste Limited
  • Waste Managed Limited
  • CommercialExperts.com
Our Products
  • Business Accountancy
  • Business Epos Systems
  • Business Telephone Systems
  • Commercial Waste Collection
  • Digital Marketing
  • Fleet Tracking
  • Invoice Finance
  • Merchant Accounts
  • Website Design

Hazardous Waste Regulation: Your Guide

Hazardous waste regulation is a complex area that involves proper management and knowledge of the rules. 

In England and Wales, hazardous waste management is governed by the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. The act sets out the rules for controlling and tracking the movement of hazardous waste and compels those who produce or handle it to have a workable waste management plan. 

 

If you want a more general insight into how to best manage your waste read our guide on good waste management.

Who Has To Follow The Rules?

Primarily, the rules ensure that businesses that produce, handle, transport or receive hazardous waste cause minimal harm to people and the environment. 

 

Following the rules is not a choice; you must comply to avoid any health risks to you or your staff. Heavy penalties and fines can be incurred due to poor hazardous waste management. 

Qualify Too Reduce Your Waste Disposal Costs?
Find Out Now.

%%INSERTTEXT0%%

%%INSERTTEXT0%%

You could save £1000s

  • %%INSERTTEXT0%%
  • %%INSERTTEXT1%%
  • %%INSERTTEXT2%%
What type of waste do you need to dispose of?
 
Complete our short form. It only takes a minute
Unfortunately you didn't select your third party marketing preferences.
Please confirm if you would be happy to be contacted by our Trusted Third Parties by SMS, Email & Telephone regarding Third Party Services.
Trusted Third Party Service Providers
%#GeneratedText##ThirdPartyUl#%
Our Partners
  • Business Companion Limited
  • Waste Basics Limited
  • CheaperWaste Limited
  • Waste Managed Limited
  • CommercialExperts.com
Our Products
  • Business Accountancy
  • Business Epos Systems
  • Business Telephone Systems
  • Commercial Waste Collection
  • Digital Marketing
  • Fleet Tracking
  • Invoice Finance
  • Merchant Accounts
  • Website Design

What The Regulations Say

The rules are extensive, and describe exactly how hazardous should be dealt with

 

The regulations set out a vast number of rules which, for a lot of business owners, can seem daunting and hard to understand. The list below takes you through the most important aspects of hazardous waste regulations. According to the regulations, your business must:

 

  1. Ensure that hazardous waste is stored and handled in a way that is safe and creates no risk of harm.
  2. Classify its waste as hazardous or non-hazardous.
  3. Complete a consignment note for each load of hazardous waste that is moved off of their premises.
  4. Comply with their duty of care to ensure that hazardous waste produced or handled causes no harm or damage.
  5. Ensure that their waste collection company is registered and that they are delivering the waste to a registered waste carrier.
  6. Make sure no waste is removed from any site without the knowledge of the relevant people.

 

While the above list is only a brief breakdown of the Hazardous Waste Regulations, it does provide a rough guide on how to conduct your waste management plan. If, however, you want to see the regulations in their entirety, have a look at the UK Government's website.  

Categorising Your Waste

Categorising your waste is an important requirement made by the hazardous waste regulations, which means you need to be able to tell what is, and what isn't, hazardous waste. For reference, the UK Government says that waste is considered hazardous if it is "harmful to humans or the environment." Some common examples of hazardous waste include:

 

  • Asbestos
  • Chemicals
  • Batteries
  • Solvents
  • Pesticides
  • Oils (except edible ones)

 

If the waste your business produces falls into any of the above categories, it will be classified as hazardous and will therefore fall under the hazardous waste regulations.

Get Your Waste Management Strategy Sorted Today

If you or your business wants further guidance with its waste management, read our article on some of the most popular waste management companies in the UK

 

If you're ready to find the best waste management company for you, click the button below to start comparing prices today.

 

FAQs

Your Questions Answered

In England and Wales, hazardous waste management is governed by the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. 

 

The act sets out the rules for controlling and tracking the movement of hazardous waste and compels those who produce or handle it to have a workable waste management plan. 

The UK Government says that waste is considered hazardous if it is "harmful to humans or the environment." Some common examples of hazardous waste include:

 

  • Asbestos
  • Chemicals
  • Batteries
  • Solvents
  • Pesticides
  • Oils (except edible ones)
What's Trending?
Read more about how to save your business money
Confidential Waste Disposal: Why You Need to Get it Right

What is Confidential Waste?Confidential waste is a broad term that refers to any documents that could lead to financial loss, identity theft, or reputational damage if it was procured by a third party. This includes several different document types ranging from financial documents to personal information, and business documents.  Sensitive information that becomes accessible by the wrong people can lead to a range of issues, many of which can have serious consequences.Ways to Dispose of Your Confidential WasteGiven the possible serious consequences of not properly disposing of your confidential waste, you'll be glad to know that several methods exist for disposing of confidential waste in the right way.ShreddingOne of the most popular ways to dispose of confidential commercial waste is, understandably, shredding. Shredding involves shredding any sensitive material so that it becomes almost impossible to reconstruct. The method is popular thanks to its ease and efficiency; paper shredders are relatively inexpensive for businesses and the job they do is irreversible.  Shredding can be done in-house by you or your staff and the resulting waste can be easily disposed of. If, however, you process a lot of sensitive information and find yourself spending a significant time shredding paper, there are companies that offer secure paper shredding services. Disposing of Digital InformationOf course, in the modern world, your business will undoubtedly store sensitive information on more than just paper. Your computers, servers, and hard drives will all have information on them that, when the time comes, will need to be deleted properly. In these circumstances, a paper shredder won't do the trick. In the case of electronic information, simply clicking 'delete' doesn't always necessarily completely erase the data you want. This is why taking your electronic equipment to a professional company that knows what it's doing. Many waste disposal companies offer such services, and using them is a good way of ensuring maximum certainty.

Different Types of Commercial Waste

Every business and household produces waste but, unlike your domestic waste, your commercial waste demands special attention, and understanding how to handle each type of waste is one of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of responsible business practices.Common Types of Commercial WasteKnowing how to categorise the different types of commercial waste you produce could prove crucial in implementing responsible waste management in your business.  By taking a proactive approach to commercial waste management, businesses like yours can reduce their environmental impact and potentially cut down on waste disposal costs. Common types of commercial waste include:

Five Ways to Keep Your Business Green

How a Green Approach Benefits Your BusinessIn an era of increasing environmental concerns, businesses must prioritise sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.  By embracing green initiatives, companies like yours can contribute to a healthier planet while enjoying numerous benefits, including lower costs and a positive brand image. In this article, we'll explore five practical ways to keep your business green and environmentally responsible.