If you run a business that is in the construction, manufacturing or utility industry, it’s highly likely that you would be dealing with hazardous waste on a regular basis already and are fully-aware of how to deal with it. However, if your business has only just started producing waste that is considered ‘hazardous’ (such as Electrical Waste and Electronic Equipment, WEEE), you may not necessarily be aware of the necessary steps you need to take in order to ensure that everything is disposed of safely and responsibly.

Before we cover the steps you need to take, what types of waste are actually considered ‘hazardous’?

What Defines Hazardous Waste?

In guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive, Waste is considered 'hazardous' when it contains substances or has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the environment. Although this does not necessarily mean that the waste should pose an immediate risk to human health – although some waste can do.

Typical examples of hazardous materials that may be found in many different businesses include:

• Asbestos
• Chemicals
• Electrical equipment (particularly computer monitors and televisions that contain cathode ray tubes)
• Fluorescent lights and energy-saving light bulbs
• Vehicle batteries and other types of lead-acid batteries
• Oils (except for those meant for human consumption)
• Refrigerators
• Solvents/aerosols
• Pesticides

If you are unsure whether any of your waste is hazardous, take advice from a waste management professional and/or check out the information on the government website.

Dealing With Your Hazardous Refuse

Now you know what types of waste are hazardous, you will need to know what you have to do to ensure that their disposal (or recycle) is subjected to the smoothest process possible.

Here are the steps to take when responsibly disposing of your hazardous waste:

1. Categorise the waste to see if it’s hazardous

The types of waste your business produces should be detailed in a report before it is sent for recycling and disposal. The report must include:

• The waste classification code
• Whether it’s hazardous
• The type of business and premises where the waste was produced
• The name of substances
• A description of the process that produced the waste
• A study of chemical and physical waste
• Any particular issues, requirements or knowledge related to the waste

2. Sort and store all hazardous materials safely

All hazardous waste should be separated and stored safely and securely – legislation prohibits mixing hazardous waste with either non-hazardous or other hazardous materials.

The waste must be:

• Stored in a secure place
• Suitable containers are used to stop waste from escaping
• All containers are labelled clearly with the type of waste they hold
• Covers are used to stop waste from blowing away
• Waterproof covers should be used if rain could potentially cause run-off or prevent the waste from being re-purposed

3. An authorised waste carrier should be used to collect, recycle or dispose of your hazardous refuse

You should ensure that your selected waste handler has the necessary registration and that their intended waste sites all have up-to-date environmental permits. Despite your carrier picking up your waste and undertaking the process of disposing or recycling, you are still responsible for the fate of your waste – even after it has left your premises.

4. Ensure you fill in waste consignment notes

To move any hazardous waste legally, you must fill out consignment notes – and ensure that the note(s) stays with the waste until it reaches its disposal point. You can view more information about what parts you need to fill in (and download a consignment form) on the applicable government website.

5. Haz waste records must be kept for three years

To provide transparency, any hazardous materials that your premises has produced or stored should be recorded and kept for three years.

Those are the steps that you need to take to safely manage the process of removing hazardous materials from your premises. If you need a reliable, experienced service that is able to work to a timetable that suits you, why not consider the specialists here at BKP?

Professional Hazardous Waste Recycling By BKP

Here at BKP, we have been operating within the waste management industry for more than 50 years now; building up a leading service that can safely collect, remove, transport and dispose or recycle all waste streams at our fully-licensed waste facilities.

The reason why we’ve been able to thrive, has been thanks to our innovative outlook – we are constantly changing and adapting our services to new trends, technologies and legislations to be in a position to offer our clients the best, most comprehensive waste treatment service out there.

Finally, we endeavour to always to go that extra mile to ensure client satisfaction. We can help you to understand the entire process of hazardous material disposal from start-to-finish; including informing you of your exact responsibilities when categorising your waste, how best to store it and even take you through filling in your consignment notes.

If you would like to speak to one of our team to learn more about how we can assist you in the management of hazardous waste, please feel free to call us on 0800 376 5004.

Alternatively, you could contact our team online using one of the following methods.

• You can send our team an email at sales@bkpgroup.com. 
• You can fill out our contact form and a member of staff will respond as soon as possible.
• Or you could reach out on Twitter or Facebook @GroupBKP.