[Cymraeg]
Hazardous waste issues are particularly important in Wales especially since local landfill is not available.
Definition
Hazardous waste contains hazardous properties that may render it harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is defined on the basis of the European Waste Catalogue. The list includes a number of waste streams not previously considered to be hazardous, including televisions, computer monitors, fluorescent lighting and end-of-life vehicles. To determine if your waste is hazardous, consult the Environment Agency
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Premises Notification under the Hazardous Waste Regime
Since July 2005, most producers of hazardous waste in Wales (and England) are required to notify their premises to the Environment Agency. Guidance on notification, including the on-line notification facility, and more general guidance can be found on the Environment Agency's hazardous waste pages.
Landfill
Other legislation (the Landfill Directive) has set tighter standards on wastes that can go to landfill. These standards are called waste acceptance criteria (WAC) and were applied to hazardous waste from July 2005. The WAC set leaching and other limit values that components of the waste stream must meet in order to be accepted at land fill sites. Lists of landfill sites and transfer stations accepting hazardous waste are provided by the Environment Agency. For Wales, there are no landfill sites and so wastes for landfill are being transported greater distances adding to disposal costs.
The Environment Agency has noted a reduction in the amount of hazardous waste going to landfill as a result of the Landfill Directive and as such, the legislative framework is driving greater waste minimisation and recovery.
Information and Assistance on Hazardous Waste in Wales
Envirowise has a number of publications on hazardous waste minimisation.
Welsh Business Environment Coordinators can provide general environmental advice or signpost organisations to specialist consultants. They can also call upon the services of Waste Advisors to assist organisations with in-depth support to reduce and help eliminate hazardous wastes. Contact Us to find out more.