&Views

HAZARDOUS WASTE COMES OF AGE continued
The Agency’s Role
The purpose of these changes is to release Agency
resources from administrative tasks in order to carry
out more inspections of waste producers and
consignees. There is a much greater likelihood that
Producers, Carriers and Consignees will receive visits
from local Agency offices to inspect systems and
registers in future.
Offences and Enforcement
As you would expect there are a range of offences
under these Regulations such as collecting from nonnotified
premises, incorrect completion of
consignment notes and associated paperwork, failing
to notify premises, provide returns, or keep registers.
A new concept is introduced into environmental and
waste legislation of fixed penalties for most of these
offences, in the same way as road traffic offences. The
format of these Notices is detailed in the Regulations,
and it is to be expected that after an initial period of
applying a ‘light touch’, future offences will result in
The Agency serving fixed penalty notices on those
they believe are in breach. As with any fixed penalty
system there remains an option of non-payment and
potential for the matter to be referred to a Court if
the defendant believes they are innocent. Unlike the
use of speed cameras, where the evidence is very
much a matter of fact and inevitably conclusive, the
question of whether or not a breach of these
Regulations has been committed may be very much
subject to interpretation in each case, and more likely
to be open to challenge.
Cross Border Movements
The previous article outlines certain differences
across the UK due to the devolved Governments. To
allow for potential differences in what is hazardous
waste in different parts of the UK, the Regulations
state that anything which is consigned as hazardous
waste in one part of the UK remains hazardous waste
in any other part of the UK. Subject to certain
exceptions (such as pre-notifying to SEPA in advance
if moving waste from England to Scotland due to
retention of pre-notification in Scotland)
consignment notes prepared in one Country are valid
in another Country, although there is the potential
problem of double charging under the different
systems. This is an aspect which merits further
consideration once the Agencies issue further
guidance and will be dealt with in more detail in a
future Newsletter.
Transitional Provisions
As always with Regulatory changes there are
provisions for transition such as to waste
licences/permits where waste has become hazardous
for the first time (‘changed status wastes) to allow
sites to accept wastes up to 16 July 2006, or until a
new permit is issued.
Biffa Waste Sevices
Potters Lane, Wednesbury WS10 7NR
http://www.biffa.co.uk
Tel: 0121 505 1662 Fax:0121 505 2120
Contact: Mr. John Waddington
John.Waddington@biffa.co.uk
Frontier Medical Products
Newbridge Road Industrial Estate
Blackwood, South Wales NP12 2YN
http://www.frontier-group.co.uk
Tel: 01495 235800 Fax: 01495 235808
Contact: Mr. Nick Davis
nickdavis@frontier-group.co.uk
Frontier Medical Products manufactures and markets the Sharpsafe range of
sharps disposal containers throughout the UK and worldwide. The Medical
Products division is part of the Frontier group of companies which also supplies
the Multigate brand of swabs and dressing plus the Repose range of pressure
ulcer prevention products to the NHS.
Hygieco Ltd
Clockhouse Estate
Cavendish Road, Glemsford, Suffolk CO10 7PZ
http://www.hygieco.co.uk
Tel: 01787 281188 Fax: 01787 282222
nick@hygieco.co.uk
Privately owned, Hygieco Limited have provided local and national companies
with specialist Washroom and Clinical Waste Services since 1990.
Intercare Distribution Services
Middlewich Road, Leighton, Crewe
Cheshire CW1 4QT
http://www.intercareuk.com
Tel: 01270 257254 Fax: 01270 250959
Contact: Mark Greenhalgh
mark@intercareuk.com
What do we do?... We excel in the delivery of specialised transportation and
distribution solutions through partnership with the healthcare sector.
Mr Tom Gooder
Cathedral Hygiene Services
The SMDSA is the primary trade organisation representing
the hygiene and healthcare waste industry. Affiliated to
the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)
the SMDSA provides a unique forum for debate and the
sharing of knowledge and expertise. Membership of the
SMDSA is open to any company involved in or supplying
products or services to the management of healthcare
waste.
The SMDSA opens its arms to Associate Members
One of the main aims of the SMDSA is to raise the standards of operators dealing
with sanitary, medical and clinical waste. Since 1993 its membership has risen
from the founding members, PHS and Cannon, to over 40 organisations
including washroom services, waste carriers, waste disposers, container
manufacturers and distributors and consultancy. As well as lobbying government
agencies for practical legislation and regulation the members meet regularly to
discuss best practice.
To help raise these standards the SMDSA has now launched a new membership
category to assist newly formed and small companies. Associate Members will
now be able to share the knowledge of the Association without meeting the full
membership criteria. The benefits include regular attendance at discussion
groups, access to a vast industry library and a network of individuals with many
years of industry experience.
Furthermore the SMDSA has amended the application process for full members
to ensure that together with its existing members they operate to a high industry
standard. Acceptance as a full member may be achieved by providing references
from existing members, a statement of the applicants intended contribution to
the Association, a commitment to attend a quarter of the SMDSA’s meetings, and
evidence that they meet the Association’s Code of Conduct. By setting standards
of operation the SMDSA is changing the perception of the industry and raising
standards throughout.
For more information on becoming an Associate or Full Member please contact
Martin Foulser, the SMDSA secretary, on 01933 311223 or by emailing
info@smdsa.com.
CONTINUED FROM COVER
Are you ready for WEEE?
The UK is currently drafting regulation to
meet the requirements of the European
Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE). The new Regulations
which are likely to be titled the ‘The Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Producer
Responsibility) Regulations. The UK is current
behind schedule in drafting the regulations as
the Directive set a deadline of August 2004 for implementation. The UK
regulations are now due in Summer 2005 with the main requirements coming
into force In January and July 2006. The new regulations will define who is
responsible for the management of WEEE and will set targets for the re-use
and recycling of component parts. Medical devices are just one of the ten
classes of WEEE that will fall within the scope of the new regulations.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is current drafting
guidance and further information can be found at:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/
Bogged down by acronyms ?
The waste industry loves seems to love acronyms so you may be excused for not
knowing the difference between your EWC and PPC.! In an effort to help those
involved in waste management from producer to disposal contractor the
SMDSA has produced a guide explaining the most common terms. The guide
can be accessed from the SMDSA web site:
http://www.smdsa.com/acronyms
New Regional Centre for Cannon
With the simultaneous launch of its new corporate identity and logo, Cannon
(as it is now branded) opened a new purpose built Regional Centre and
Transfer Station in January
this year combining under a
single roof its hygiene,
clinical, textile care,
horticulture, security,
environmental and cleaning
divisions on the ‘brownfield’
site of a former Sewage
Works at Oldbury, West
Midlands.
Greencare Environmental
Unit 1, Warsop Trading Estate
Hever Road, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5LD
http://www.greencareuk.com
Tel: 01732 865400 Fax: 01732 866447
Contact: Adam Warren
adamwarren@greencareuk.com
H & A Waste Services Ltd
49 Cardrew Way
Cardrew Industrial Estate
Redruth, Cornwall TR15 1SS
Tel: 01209 219993 Fax: 01209 219995
Contact: Mr. Kim Always
kim.alway@btopenworld.com
specialise in the collection and disposal of all grades of clinical waste, operating
from licenced waste transfer stations throughout the South West.
In addition, we offer a complete range of products and services for the
washroom.
Healthcare Environmental Services Ltd
Calderhead Road, Shotts, Lanarkshire ML7 4EO
http://www.healthcareenv.co.uk
Tel: 01501 822233 Fax: 0151 822211
Contact: Garry Pettigrew
garry@healthcareenv.co.uk
Healthcare Environmental Services Group are a privately owned specialised
waste management company. We have depots UK wide and collect all types of
waste including Clinical, Chemical, Trade, & Radiaoctives. We provide a full
facilites waste management service to all our customers. We have our own
autoclave treatment facility at our Shotts Head office.
Homeport Ltd
3 Devonshire St., London W1W 5BA
http://www.homeport.info
Tel: 020 7631 0607 Fax: 020 7631 0608
Contact: Mr. Romain Bertrand
romain.bertrand@homeport.inf
Homeport Ltd develops & markets secure delivery systems that allow healthcare
deliveries and collections - including clinical/pharmaceutical waste - to be made
24/7 without the recipient/sender being present. Our systems are suitable for
installation in most healthcare locations including all types of surgeries,
pharmacies, opticians, hospitals or patients' homes.
The Homeport itself is the only permanent fixture with deliveries being secured
into containers which can remain permanently fixed or be removable.
Scientific Services Ltd
P.O. Box 130, Redruth TR16 4ZX
http://www.scientificservices.biz
Tel: 01209 843988 Fax: 01209 843740
Contact: Mr. Tim Hamilton
enq@scientificservices.biz
Scientific Services Ltd is a consultancy company specialising in the validation of
alternative treatment technologies used for the treatment of clinical waste.
Our UKAS accredited laboratory supports our consultancy activities by
providing an array of microbiological, physical and chemical analysis
Steriwaste Brandbeat Ltd
Meadow House, Kerswell
Cullompton, Devon EX15 2ES
http://www.steriwaste.com
Tel: 01884 266666 Fax: 01884 266333
Contact: Mr. David Colgate
info@steriwaste.com
Alternative Technology for ‘In House Treatment’ of Clinical Waste. A proven
hygiene & infection control system ( Yellow Bag Waste)
● Collecting, transporting and disinfecting in puncture-proof multipurpose reusable
containers.
● HF thermal disinfection directly at the source of the waste.
● Regional waste disposal as industrial waste with a fraction of the cost of
clinical waste disposal
No longer does the bulk of untreated clinical waste need to travel the roads of
Britain.
Vernon-Carus
Factory Lane, Preston, Lancs. PR1 9SN
http://www.vernon-carus.co.uk
Tel: 01772 744493 Fax: 01772 320449
Contact: Tim Eaglen
tim.eaglen@vernon-carus.co.uk
Vernon-Carus manufacture a wide range of branded products and are also UK
distributors of products manufactured by other major brand leaders such as the
Sharpak range of sharps and clinical waste containers. A major supplier to the
NHS, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare market, Vernon-Carus
is committed to delivering healthcare solutions and outstanding customer
service.