3-in-1: Needle tine - Pitchcare

AS of 16th July 2005 disposal
of hazardous waste, which
includes end of life fluorescent
tubes and other gas discharge
lamps, is subject to new
regulations that mean many
golf, sports and leisure clubs in
the UK could already be
breaking the law.
Under these regulations,
users can no longer dispose of
fluorescent and sodium lamps,
or other hazardous waste such
as computer monitors, along
with general waste. To do so is
illegal, and leaves the
organisation open to a fine by
the Environment Agency.
Exemptions
Unless you are entitled to
exemption, you are required to
register annually with the
Environment Agency before
you can consign end-of-life
lamps or other hazardous
waste. The regulations also
cover crushing on site, whether
by an outside contractor or by
your own equipment.
You are exempt from
registration if you produced
less than 200kg of hazardous
waste in a 12-month period,
AND you are classified as an
exempt premises. It is
important to note that this
200kg criterion includes all
hazardous waste, not just waste
lamps. Bearing in mind the
weight of such items as
computer monitors, this weight
factor can quickly be reached.
However, even if you are
exempt from the annual
registration, you will still be
required to complete certain
sections of a special
Consignment Note (available
from the Environment Agency
at the cost of £20 for a book of
20 forms, or that the recycling
organisation can provide) and
to pay a fee of between £5 and
£19 (which also goes to the
Environment Agency) for each
consignment of hazardous
waste despatched or collected.
Disposal options
Businesses can take their own
waste to a specially designated
Hazardous Waste Landfill site,
however they will still be
required to fill in a
Consignment Note and pay the
fee. The problem here is that
with only ten such sites in the
UK you could be in for a long
journey, and Civic Amenity
(CA) waste disposal sites are
now enforcing bans on
accepting any commercial
waste.
New hazardous waste
regulations could mean many
businesses breaking the law.
Moreover, deliveries to these
sites have to be pre-booked
and a suitable vehicle is
required to tip the waste
directly into the hole.
The alternative is to take it
direct to an Authorised
Treatment Facility (ATF), such
as Recyclite, or to have a
contractor remove the waste.
If the waste producers move
their own waste then a Waste
Carriers licence, issued by the
Environment Agency, is not
required. On the other hand
independent collectors of
waste, or contractors who
remove hazardous waste as part
of the contract, must have a
waste carrier's license.
However, before they can
remove the waste material
carriers and contractors must
have sight of the producer's
registration, or be notified of
exemption criteria. The waste
producer will also need to
complete the consignment
note and pay the appropriate
fee to the carrier/contractor.
Where the producer, carrier
and/or contractor takes the
waste directly to an ATF, unless
the waste is properly packaged
in specialist boxes or
containers, there may be
grounds for rejecting it on
Health and Safety issues. If
the hazardous waste contains
non-specified other waste, eg
cardboard packaging it may
also be rejected or charged for
in addition.
So, to summarise:
• The only difference in
whether or not you are
exempt, is the need to
register and pay the annual
fee
• All producers of hazardous
waste have to complete a
consignment note and pay
the hazardous waste
movement fee
• You can take hazardous waste
to: a designated hazardous
waste landfill site (10 in the
UK); an authorised
treatment facility; or you can
arrange for your contractor
or an independent carrier to
collect the waste
Commercial implications
The importance of having the
consignment note cannot be
overstated. It is the evidence
that you have officially handed
over the hazardous waste to an
authorised third party. This is
your proof on onward
traceability. Failure to comply
can have far reaching
implications.
New hazardous waste
regulations could mean many
businesses breaking the law.
First of all, as has been said,
you have a legal obligation and
can be fined by the
Environment Agency if you fail
to adhere to the law. Second, if
you are ISO certified, breaking
the law can result in the
removal of that certification.
REQUIRED OF
YOU TO COMPLY
WITH LEGAL
AND HEALTH &
SAFETY
LEGISLATION
LAWWHAT’S
NEW hazardous waste regs could
mean that YOU are breaking the law
JULIA INGLESON, Managing Director of authorised waste treatment facility, Recyclite
Ltd, warns of the legal requirements of the new Hazardous Waste Regulations (HWR)
Sports and leisure clubs in the UK could
already be breaking the law
Third, with more and more
firms pursuing their supply
chain's compliance with legal
requirements, best practice
management and Corporate
Social Responsibility issues, any
unlawful business practices can
result in immediate loss of
contracts.
Further information about
the new regulations can be
found at the following websites:
www.hazardouswaste.org.uk
www.environmentagency.gov.uk
www.envirowise.gov.uk
It is possible to register
online at the Environment
Agency website by clicking on
the ‘Waste’ page. If you need
any help, Recyclite’s service
desk, 01953 451111, can guide
you through the requirements.
Exempt Premises
Domestic premises, Shops,
Offices, Agricultural premises,
Dental, Veterinary or Medical
premises, Ships, Schools,
Prisons, Charity premises
(Consignment Notes and Fees
still required).