London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

6.80. However, the new hazardous waste classification system relating to the Hazardous
Waste Regulations and the European Waste Catalogue will increase the numbers of
wastes classified as hazardous. It is estimated that an additional 250 waste types will be
classed as hazardous. An area of growth in the future production of hazardous waste in
London is likely to be the classification of waste electric and electrical equipment
(WEEE) as a hazardous waste. This could hold significant implications for the UK as a
whole, including London. Nevertheless, it is possible that the relatively high-technology
re-processing facilities required to reprocess such waste could be located in or near to
London, thereby helping to increase London’s self-sufficiency in hazardous waste
management.
Recommendation 57: As part of London’s drive towards self-sufficiency in waste
management, it is recommended that ways to encourage the development of a
hazardous waste processing industry should be explored, particularly for the
‘new’ hazardous wastes that will result from the implementation of the
hazardous waste regulations in mid-2005. It is recommended that a strategy is
developed to mimimise and prevent illegal waste management activities in
London resulting from the advent of the new Hazardous Waste Regulations.
6.81. With the changes in hazardous waste regulations, a variety of electronic and electrical
equipment will be classed as hazardous. Wastes will be included as hazardous wastes
because they are listed in the Hazardous Waste Regulations due to their components
(the majority of WEEE), because they are listed specifically, or because they are above
the contaminant threshold limit.
6.82. According to a presentation by Graham Davy of the SIMS Group (Hazardous Waste
Summit, 24 th March 2004), fridges, televisions and monitors, and fluorescent tubes will
definitely be classed as hazardous due to the content of CFC, lead and mercury
respectively. There is also the possibility of washing machines (cables and piping) and
vacuum cleaners also being included. In the London area this will create a huge amount
of additional hazardous waste – from domestic, commercial and industrial sources.
6.83. SIMS Group highlighted the fact that even though objects may be classed as hazardous
on the list, the amount of hazardous substances may not meet the threshold level for
hazardous wastes. Fluorescent tubes appear on the hazardous waste list, however the
percentage of mercury does not exceed the hazardous threshold. Therefore, if they
were not directly named as hazardous, they would not be considered hazardous on
account of their mercury content. Thus there remains some uncertainty about what will
actually be deemed to be hazardous under the new regulations.
6.84. As outlined in Annex II of the WEEE Directive, certain items must be ‘removed’ from
WEEE. Some items appear on the Hazardous List as an absolute, for example batteries.
However, other components which are not listed may make the item hazardous. The
term ‘remove’ has not yet been fully defined. Removing fluorescent tubes or batteries
can be easily managed before any further treatment. However, if the term ‘remove’
includes removing button cells or small printed circuit boards, the process becomes
much more complex. This could provide problems with equipment such as washing
machines where components needing to be removed are less than 0.5% of the total
product weight.
6.85. A DEFRA sponsored WEEE and Hazardous Waste Report is due imminently; hopefully
this report will outline the requirements of WEEE in terms of hazardous waste. With
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