In our fast-paced modern world, where convenience and consumption dominate our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the impact our actions have on the environment. One area often neglected is the disposal of hazardous waste generated by commercial and household activities. The improper handling and disposal of such waste can have severe consequences, leading to contamination of soil, water, and air, as well as posing risks to human health and the ecosystem.
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However, there is a growing awareness and a pressing need to address this issue. Individuals, businesses, and communities are beginning to recognise the importance of responsibly managing hazardous waste and taking proactive steps towards its ethical disposal.
What is considered hazardous or chemical waste?
Hazardous waste, including chemical waste, falls into three categories. There are things that are always hazardous, things that are never hazardous, and things that must be assessed to determine whether or not they are hazardous. In the first category are products like fluorescent tubes or lead acid batteries. The second category is self-explanatory but includes things like edible oil. The third category is broader and more complex, obviously. Things like ink or paint might be a serious hazard, or may not, depending on their composition. Then, too, materials that are not necessarily hazardous on their own can quickly become a danger if managed improperly in the presence of hazardous wastes. For example, packaging and sawdust are not a hazard in and of themselves, but care must be taken in the presence of chemicals that can be fire hazards, like petrol and paint thinners. To determine if what you are handling is hazardous, check the waste code, referred to as LoW or EWC. Once you have located this code, you will be able to determine whether a general waste disposal service can legally take it or whether special collections are required. Some materials have more than one classification, in which case the waste will have more than one code to check. If you are the producer of the waste, you must determine whether it is hazardous and arrange for proper disposal. If not, however, you can usually determine whether or not materials are hazardous by checking the manufacture data sheets and the containers in which the product came. If your business is producing waste, it must be correctly classified and identified before it is sent for recycling or disposal.
How to store chemical and hazardous waste
Storing chemicals on your company premises requires compliance with Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. In short, chemicals must be clearly labelled as hazardous substances and stored in ventilated cabinets or other appropriate storage facilities, in containers that prevent them from escaping. It is illegal to mix different types of hazardous waste together, or even to mix hazardous and non-hazardous materials. All waste must be stored securely, in such a way that it cannot blow away or leak, and only authorized personnel should be allowed access to hazardous waste storage facilities. Making that the rule prevents confusion and ensures safe storage.
Legal Documentation
Chemical waste produced on your site is your responsibility and requires a documented record of disposal procedures. You must keep this record for at least three years and be able to provide copies of all records related to the disposal upon request. If your disposal company rejects any of your waste, determine why this happened and how this rejection can be prevented in the future. Always use an authorized disposal company for chemical waste and do not transport it yourself unless you are licensed to do so.
Where can you dispose of chemical or hazardous waste?
Perhaps more to the point, once you know where, how do you accomplish it? The best course of action is to organise for an authorised waste company to manage this for you. Experienced waste management companies know how to handle hazardous materials and their waste sites have environmental permits. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and that you provide all necessary legal documentation, because you are still responsible for disposal of waste that you or your business have generated, even after you have turned it over to an authorized waste carrier and it has been removed from your premises.
If you need more information on handling hazardous waste, you can obtain this on the Environment Agency Website. For non-hazardous waste disposal, contact WRC Skip Hire. Since 2017, WRC Skip Hire has been providing hassle-free waste management services, offering a wide selection of skips for both home projects and building sites. Our fully insured and licensed skip hire is available to clients throughout Scotland, and we work hard to understand our clients demands so that we can meet their needs while providing a complete waste management solution in full compliance with Zero Waste Scotland regulations. We are leaders in the recycling and waste sector, and we are committed to remaining current with the latest solutions in technology, keeping up with the ongoing modifications and development of recycling and waste legislation. Additionally, as a local, family owned business, we are dedicated to providing unmatched service delivery, going above and beyond for our customers to ensure their needs are met. For more information or to make an enquiry, call 0141 812 1587 or contact us through our website.
