Category: Hazardous Waste

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Hazardous Waste WEEE Waste

Lithium Battery Disposal for Businesses: A Guide to Compliance

Ever tossed a lithium battery away without giving it a second thought? You could be an unintentional firestarter.

Research shows that 54% of businesses have experienced incidents linked to lithium batteries, with one in five reporting fires or explosions. And with these batteries powering everything from laptops and handheld scanners to cordless tools and UPS modules, there’s no avoiding them in the workplace.

They’re compact, convenient and powerful – but when end of life or become damaged, they stop being a benefit and start becoming a risk.

This guide removes the guesswork and strips away the jargon to explain, in plain language, how UK businesses can manage lithium battery disposal safely, legally, and confidently – keeping your workforce protected and your workplace compliant.

  • What Is a Lithium Battery?
  • Where You’ll Find Lithium Battery Waste in the Workplace
  • What’s the Business Risk of Incorrect Disposal?
  • 6 Steps for Compliant Lithium Battery Disposal
  • The Dos and Don’ts of Lithium Battery Disposal
  • How to Respond to a Lithium Battery Fire
  • Recycling Routes for Lithium Batteries
  • Remove the Guesswork with Hazport

What Is a Lithium Battery?

‘Lithium battery’ is the umbrella term for batteries that use lithium chemistry to store energy. Under that umbrella sit two main types:

  • Lithium-ion (Li-ion) – the rechargeable subset, powering most modern technology and tools.
  • Lithium metal (primary) – non-rechargeable cells such as many button or coin batteries.

Why so widespread? Lithium is the lightest metal on the periodic table, meaning these batteries deliver high energy density whilst remaining compact and portable – a perfect match for modern devices and equipment.

Where You’ll Find Lithium Batteries in the Workplace

Lithium-ion (rechargeable):

  • IT equipment – laptops, mobiles, tablets, power banks.
  • Warehouse/production – barcode scanners, handheld terminals, robotics such as AMRs and AGVs.
  • Facilities/critical power – UPS modules, server room backups, energy storage.
  • Tools and equipment – cordless drills, saws, grounds maintenance kit.
  • Fleet/mobility – e-bikes, e-scooters, e-cargo bikes.
  • R&D – prototype cells, packs and modules.

Lithium metal (non-rechargeable)

  • Office/tech – coin cells in keyboards, mice, access fobs.
  • Safety and security – sensors, detectors, specialist cameras.
  • Industrial/lab – data loggers, instrumentation, metering devices.

It’s a good idea to create a simple internal register – what you have, where it’s stored, who’s responsible, and its condition. This is one of the easiest ways to improve safety and compliance across your site.

Need help creating a one? Our team can support you.

What’s the Business Risk Incorrect Disposal?

As we noted at the outset, 54% of businesses have experienced a lithium battery-related incident – this shows that lithium batteries bring real business-critical risks when mishandled:

Thermal runaway

Physical damage, overcharging, or internal faults can trigger rapid self-heating, venting, the release of toxic gases, and ignition.

Hidden hazards

‘Dead’ batteries can still hold a charge; unsuitable storage can lead to short circuits; poor packaging can ignite in transit.

Regulatory exposure

Lithium batteries fall into hazardous waste controls, ADR (transport of dangerous goods), and battery/WEEE producer responsibility rules. Getting it wrong risks fires, fines and reputational damage.

The answer isn’t panic – it’s good housekeeping and competent partners.

6 Steps for Compliant Lithium Battery Disposal

#1 Identify and Classify

  • Record chemistry: Lithium-ion or lithium metal.
  • Note form: Loose cells/modules/packs or embedded in equipment.
  • Check condition: Intact or damaged/defective. 

#2 Apply the Waste Hierarchy

  • Prevent: Avoid over-ordering, monitor battery health and rotate stock.
  • Reuse/repurpose: Consider manufacturer take-back schemes and second-life options.
  • Recycle: Prioritise routes that maximise resource recovery. Disposal should always be the last resort. 

See our blog on the waste hierarchy to learn more. 

#3 Package and Store Safely

  • Li-ion: Tape terminals, add inert cushioning and segregate suspect units.
  • Lithium metal: Keep dry, avoid water exposure and keep separate.
  • All damaged units: Isolate and await specialist overpacking.

#4 Choose a Licensed Waste Partner

Expect:

  • Waste carrier license.
  • ADR capability.
  • Evidence of authorised downstream facilities.
  • Clear, straight-talking advice and fast turnaround.

That’s the Hazport standard!

#5 Move Under ADR with Correct Paperwork

Your waste partner should manage:

  • UN numbers.
  • ADR labels.
  • Waste transfer/consignment notes.
  • Specialist provisions for packaging and transport.

#6 Verify Treatment and Close the Loop

Keep recovery documentation for:

  • ESG reporting.
  • Environmental audits.
  • Compliance evidence.

Damaged Lithium Battery Disposal (High-Risk Scenario)

Treat any of the following as a serious red flag:

  • Swelling
  • Hissing
  • Scorch marks
  • Electrolyte smell
  • Water damage
  1. Stop and isolate. Move the item (if safe) into a fire-resistant quarantine container, away from people and combustibles.
  2. No DIY Don’t try to open, flatten, cool with improvised methods, or try to charge, test, or disconnect cells.
  3. Call a specialist. Damaged/defective lithium batteries require special handling and UN-spec packaging for transport; they must be moved by trained personnel with the right materials and documentation.
  4. Record the incident. Note where it came from and how it was found – this helps with safe consignment and future prevention, as well as supporting classification and documentation. 

The result? A protected workforce, a safer workplace, compliant paperwork, and a clean and simple handover to an approved facility. No drama. No guesswork.

The Dos and Don’ts of Lithium Battery Disposal

Let’s start with the umbrella rules: Never open one inside a building… (just checking you’re still with us).

Do:

  • Keep Li-ion and lithium metal separate, as well as intact vs damaged units.
  • Use non-conductive, fire-resistant, lidded containers with inert cushioning.
  • Tape exposed terminals on loose cells and small packs.
  • Store cool and dry, away from heat, sunlight and pressure.
  • Label clearly and maintain an up-to-date inventory.
  • When unsure: stop, isolate and escalate to a specialist.

Don’t:

  • Don’t crush, puncture or dismantle packs – no DIY ‘battery surgery’.
  • Don’t mix batteries with WEEE, cardboard, metals or combustibles.
  • Don’t ‘test’ damaged batteries by charging them.
  • Don’t improvise packaging – ADR rules aren’t optional.
  • Don’t move damaged/defective units without specialist UN-approved overpacking and paperwork.

Type-Specific Notes:

Lithium-ion (rechargeable subset)

  • Biggest risk: Thermal runaway.
  • Damaged Li-ion must be packed and shipped under special ADR provisions.

Lithium metal (non-rechargeable)

  • Water-reactive – Keep dry and away from moisture.
  • Prevent short circuits with proper terminal protection and separation.

One thing to remember:

If it’s damaged, unknown or making you nervous –  stop and isolate. Call a specialist to classify and package your lithium battery waste.

How to Respond to a Lithium Battery Fire

Knowing how to handle hazardous waste in an emergency is crucial for any business that produces or uses hazardous materials.

Always put people before property. If there’s smoke, flames, popping, or toxic vapour: evacuate the area, raise the alarm, and call 999.

For a lithium-ion battery fire: if it’s safe to attempt first-aid firefighting and you’re trained to do so, cool aggressively with water from a distance to stop thermal runaway spreading. Water helps remove heat even if flames reappear. A CO2 or foam extinguisher may knock down the flames, but cooling is critical to prevent re-ignition.

For lithium metal battery fires: DO NOT USE WATER. Use a Class D (metal fire) agent in line with your fire strategy and training.

For large packs (e-bikes, UPS, energy storage systems): Isolate, evacuate and let the fire service handle it. They may apply large volumes of water for extended cooling.

Prevention always beats firefighting: Correct storage, separation, isolation of suspect units and early action dramatically reduce incidents before they start. That’s the waste hierarchy mindset – prevention first.

Recycling Routes for Lithium Batteries

Moving a little further down the waste hierarchy now to recycling, there are options for lithium batteries. A common question we hear is “How much of a lithium battery can be recycled?”

There isn’t a single percentage for every battery, because chemistry, design and condition vary. But as a general rule of thumb:

  • Metals such as copper, aluminium, nickel and cobalt are routinely recovered.
  • Lithium recovery is increasing as UK/EU capacity grows.
  • Plastics and electrolytes may be partially recovered.
  • Lithium metal cells follow more specialised routes.

What matters is traceability. When batteries are consigned to authorised treatment, you can evidence recovery through completion certificates and downstream audit trails.

That raises another critical question…

Who’s Allowed to Recycle Lithium Batteries?

As per hazardous waste regulations, only authorised facilities can treat lithium batteries in the UK, and routes depend on whether the battery is standalone or embedded in WEEE equipment. Here’s an overview:

  • Standalone batteries: Approved Battery Treatment/Export Operators (ABTO/ABEO) handle sorting, discharge, disassembly and materials recovery.
  • Batteries in WEEE: Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATFs) depollute the equipment first, then route batteries for specialist processing.
  • Interim/bulking transfer: Permitted hazardous waste transfer stations may consolidate and prepare consignments before final treatment.

It’s your responsibility to consign to licensed carriers and permitted sites, with the correct waste codes and ADR details. It’s your waste partner’s job to get it right, end-to-end, and keep your documentation audit-ready and compliant.

Remove the Guesswork with Hazport

At Hazport, remove the guesswork from hazardous waste and make disposal easy. Our mobile chemists, fast response times, ADR-compliant packaging, and end-to-end traceability through approved facilities make us a good choice as a partner for your business.

No more waiting, guessing or wondering – just safe, compliant outcomes that stand up to scrutiny and make your audits pain-free.

Our experienced team is ready to support you every step of the way, from identifying and segregating waste to final disposal.

Contact us today to learn more about our WEEE waste disposal services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

Categories
Chemical Waste Hazardous Waste

Chemical Spill Response Procedure: Are You Doing It Right?

There may be no use in crying over spilt milk, but spilt chemicals… that’s a different story altogether!

Imagine you’re halfway through another normal workday, and someone knocks over a container – as the smell of chemicals hits the air, the panic sets in. What happens now?

Read on as we walk you through a wealth of valuable information that will help you ensure you have a safe and effective chemical spill response procedure in place.

From the basics of containment and cleanup to procedures and spill kits, join us as we remove the guesswork so you’re prepared, not panicked when accidents happen.

  • What Is a Chemical Spill?
  • The Potential Impacts of a Chemical Spill
  • The Four Pillars of Chemical Spill Control
  • The Hierarchy of Chemical Spill Management
  • Who’s Responsible for Chemical Spill Cleanup?
  • Why Choose Hazport for Spill Response Support?

What Is a Chemical Spill?

A chemical spill is the accidental release of a potentially hazardous substance that poses a risk to people, property or the environment. Spills can happen during production, transport, storage, use or disposal, and they vary widely in severity.

Most likely, you can recall at least one occurrence of a chemical spill being reported in the news, but whether it’s a small splash of solvent in a lab or a major leak of industrial chemicals, every spill must be taken seriously.

What Is Chemical Spill Safety?

Chemical spill safety is all about being ready before something goes wrong. It means having the right procedures, training and equipment in place to prevent spills where possible – and to respond quickly and safely if and when they do happen.

It’s not just about cleaning up the mess – it’s about protecting your staff, your site, the public and the environment. Chemical spill safety includes:

  • Always storing chemicals properly.
  • Training staff to recognise and manage risks.
  • Ensuring your site is equipped to deal with accidents.
  • Having a straightforward, practised spill response procedure.

Getting this right is about much more than ticking a compliance box – it saves lives, prevents extensive damage, and keeps your business moving even when accidents happen.

The Potential Impacts of a Chemical Spill

Chemical spills aren’t just messy – they’re also dangerous. The impacts can be far-reaching and long-lasting, especially if the response is slow or mismanaged, as can happen when tackling a spill unprepared.

Here’s what’s at stake when a chemical spill happens:

  • Serious harm to health – Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to burns, breathing problems, or even long-term conditions like cancer. Some gases are toxic in tiny amounts. Others can ignite with the slightest spark.
  • Risk of fire or explosion – Flammable chemicals don’t need much encouragement to cause major incidents. Without fast containment, a small spill can quickly become a full-scale emergency.
  • Damage to property – Some chemicals can eat through flooring, corrode metals, or render entire rooms unsafe to use. In worst-case scenarios, fires caused by spills can bring down whole buildings.
  • Environmental fallout – Some chemicals can seep into soil, drains and nearby watercourses. This can destroy habitats, poison wildlife and lead to long-term contamination of land and water.
  • Costly disruption – Aside from the cleanup bill, spills often shut down operations, trigger investigations and delay projects – especially when you need emergency contractors to step in.
  • Regulatory consequences – If your spill affects the environment, or you fail to act fast enough, you could face enforcement action, fines or reputational damage that’s harder to clean up than the spill itself.

What’s the takeaway? Every minute counts. A well-prepared spill response can dramatically reduce the scale of the damage, eliminating the need to guess in the moment when action matters most.

So let’s dig into a chemical spill response procedure and see how you can handle such an incident.

The Four Pillars of Chemical Spill Control

The most effective response to a chemical spill is precisely that – a response, not a reaction. A fast, safe and compliant response hinges on four key pillars:

  • Spill prevention
  • Spill control and containment
  • Spill cleanup
  • Reporting and review

Let’s look at each pillar in a little more depth.

Pillar I: Spill Prevention

Many businesses focus on cleaning up, but real chemical spill safety starts before one happens. The most effective response is to prevent spills in the first place, eliminating the need for a response – however, accidents can and do happen.

This involves:

  • Storing chemicals and chemical waste securely and correctly.
  • Using secondary containment (like drip trays or bunds) when appropriate.
  • Conducting regular inspections and maintenance.

Need an audit? Hazport offers a full site audit to help you identify what’s working well and any gaps or areas for improvement.

Prevention may not feel like a ‘response’ in the typical sense of the word, but it’s your first and most effective line of defence.

Pillar II: Spill Control and Containment

If a spill occurs despite your best prevention efforts, the top priority is to contain it as quickly as possible to prevent spread and exposure. This is where your chemical spill kit comes in (always ensure your site is equipped).

As a rule of thumb, a chemical spill kit should contain:

  • Absorbent pads
  • Neutralisers (for acids/bases)
  • PPE
  • Disposal bags and labels
  • Instruction for use

Your team should also understand how to handle hazardous waste in an emergency, and be trained to follow your chemical spill response procedure, which includes:

  • Raising the alarm and assessing the risk*.
  • Putting on the appropriate PPE.
  • Stopping the source of the spill if safe to do so.
  • Containing the spill using absorbents, booms or barriers.
  • Ventilating the area if required.

Spill containment is critical – it buys time and reduces the risk of wider harm.

*When assessing the risk, producers need to understand exactly what has been spilt before anyone tackles the spill. Sometimes, more danger and harm can be created from tackling an unknown spill with the wrong method.

Pillar III: Spill Cleanup

Once the immediate risk is controlled, the chemical spill cleanup begins. This step must be carried out carefully to avoid exposure or secondary contamination. This involves:

  • Using appropriate absorbents or neutralisers.
  • Carefully collecting waste and contaminated materials.
  • Labelling and storing waste in line with hazardous waste regulations.
  • Arranging for compliant disposal via a licensed provider (like Hazport 😉).

In the cleanup stage, it’s crucial to get this right and avoid a dangerous cleanup on your own or without expert guidance.

Report spilled-Person on computerPillar IV: Report and Review

This is another critical stage and one that’s easily overlooked – we’re only human, so once the spill has been contained and cleaned up, it’s all over, right?

Wrong. After any chemical spill, you must:

  • Report what happened.
  • Review the root cause.
  • Check if your procedures or training need updating.
  • Refresh your risk assessments and COSHH documentation.

Hazport can assist with spill procedure training – from basic spills like oils to more complex spills such as aggressive chemicals.

If it’s a serious spill, you’ll also need to report it to the Environment Agency or HSE. Don’t bury the incident – use it to strengthen and inform your future preparedness.

The Hierarchy of Spill Management

The closer you stop it, the less damage it does.

Each spill has to be taken at face value, as does the way we deal with them, but in any case, the faster you act and the closer to the source you contain it, the better your outcome will be. Here’s a handy framework to help you prioritise the right actions, in the correct order.

#1 Contain at the Source

Best-case scenario

If you can stop a spill where it’s happening, this is the best option. It might mean turning off a valve, standing up a container, or sealing a leak, but you’ll be stopping damage before it begins.

Why it matters: It’s quicker, safer and cheaper to contain the spill right at the source.

#2 Contain Close to the Source

Next best thing

If you can’t stop it directly at the source, contain it as close as possible. Use absorbent socks (not the ones on your feet…), spill booms, or bunds to stop the spread. The aim here is speed and precision.

Why it matters: Containing the chemical close to the source limits how far it can travel, reducing cleanup time and risk.

#3 Contain on the Surface

Time to act fast

If the spill has started spreading, try to stop it from entering drains, cracks, or unsealed ground. This is where quick access to your spill kit makes a world of difference.

Why it matters: Surface-level spills are easier to control, but only if you act quickly.

#4 Contain in the Drainage System

The danger zone

If the spill has made it into your drains, your priority is  to stop it from going any further. Use drain covers, mats, or inflatable bungs if trained (you, not the bungs…). This is a critical moment to prevent environmental harm.

Why it matters: Spills in drains can travel quickly and widely, leading to regulatory consequences.

#5 Contain on or in a Watercourse

The danger zone

If the chemical reaches a river, stream or surface water, containment is still possible, but your options are limited, and the risks are high. You must notify the Environment Agency immediately and bring in specialist help.

Why it matters: At this stage, you’re no longer just cleaning up – you’re protecting public health and ecosystems.

As noted earlier in this blog, the best spill response is prevention. But the second best is having a prepared response before the damage spreads. This hierarchy can help to guide your actions when every second counts.

Who’s Responsible for Chemical Spill Cleanup?

Ultimately, the responsibility for a chemical spill lies with you, the waste producer. Under the UK hazardous waste laws and regulations, you’re required to ensure that any spill is managed safely and that the resulting waste is classified, labelled and disposed of properly.

Even once the waste has left your site, you’re still legally accountable for what happens with it. That’s why having a clear plan and a competent waste partner is so important.

Why Choose Hazport for Spill Response Support?

At Hazport, we understand the importance of getting your chemical spill response procedure right. We help businesses across the UK prepare for, respond to, and recover from chemical spills with:

  • Expert-led waste audits and risk assessments.
  • Customised chemical spill kits and spill station servicing.
  • Staff training and emergency support.
  • Fast, compliant waste collection and disposal.

Whether you’re dealing with a one-off spill or building a site-wide spill response plan, we can remove the guesswork to make it simple, compliant and stress-free.

Contact us today to learn more about our chemical waste disposal services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

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Categories
Hazardous Waste

Waste Duty of Care Explained for Hazardous Waste Producers

Whose problem is it when your waste leaves your premises? Funnily enough (or perhaps not), it’s still yours…

If your business produces hazardous waste, you have legal responsibilities that go beyond simply arranging for someone to collect it. This falls under your Waste Duty of Care – a legal requirement that applies to every business handling waste in the UK.

But what exactly is a Duty of Care? What does it mean in practical terms? How can you make sure your business is doing the right thing? Read on to see your Waste Duty of Care explained as we remove the guesswork.

  • What Is the Waste Duty of Care?
  • Who Does the Waste Duty of Care Apply To?
  • How Does the Waste Duty of Care Work?
  • How Long Does Your Waste Duty of Care Last?
  • What Is a Waste Duty of Care Audit?
  • Ensure Duty of Care with Reliable Waste Support

What Is the Waste Duty of Care

The Waste Duty of Care is a legal obligation requiring anyone who produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of waste to take all reasonable steps to ensure their waste is managed safely and legally from production through to final disposal. It means you’re responsible for your waste from the moment it’s produced until it’s dealt with. That responsibility doesn’t even end when the waste leaves your site – if something goes wrong further down the line and your business didn’t follow the proper process, you could still be held accountable.

This legal obligation is set out in Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – a fact that, if remembered, sounds either very impressive or super nerdy, depending on the company you keep…

The idea behind the Waste Duty of Care is to prevent waste from being mismanaged and causing harm to the environment or public health.

The Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice

The Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice provides further practical guidance for complying with the law. This code, issued by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is admissible in court and offers clear steps to ensure waste is managed the right way.

Why Is It Important?

To begin with, there’s the ethical side of things – hazardous waste can pose serious risks to people, wildlife, ecosystems and the environment. Managing waste properly isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about doing the right thing morally. This alone should be enough, but we’ve seen enough fly-tipping and illegal waste disposal to know it isn’t.

Failing to meet your Duty of Care can have serious consequences, such as hefty fines (there’s no upper limit on the courts’ power to fine), legal action, and lasting damage to your business’s reputation.

Who Does the Waste Duty of Care Apply To?

Do you come into contact with waste as part of your day-to-day? Chances are, the Duty of Care applies to you, even if you only produce small amounts of waste.

Duty of Care waste legislation in the UK applies to anyone who:

  • Produces waste – all business types, including private sector businesses such as manufacturers, labs, construction firms, and public sector services like schools, medical facilities and prisons. Waste producers are the best-suited people in the waste journey to identify and classify the waste.
  • Carries or transports waste – any person who regularly collects, carries or transports waste as part of day-to-day business or as a profitable endeavour (including your own waste).
  • Deals in or brokers waste on behalf of others – anyone who buys waste (yes, it’s a thing!) with the intention of selling it on, even if they don’t take physical possession of the waste themselves. This also includes those who arrange waste management and transportation on behalf of others.
  • Stores or treats waste on-site – this could cover those producing waste in the first place, right through to whoever is responsible for its final disposal.

If you fall into one of the above categories, you are what the Waste Duty of Care Code refers to as a ‘waste holder’.

How Does Waste Duty of Care Work?

There are a few essential steps for a hazardous waste producer to understand as part of the Duty of Care requirements:

#1 Classify Your Waste Correctly

You must accurately identify and label hazardous waste using the correct hazard property codes and descriptions. This helps ensure the waste is handled safely and legally throughout the full journey. Unsure of your waste? A mobile chemist will be able to help you identify, classify, label and pack your waste if needed.

 

#2 Store Your Waste Safely

Hazardous waste must be stored securely in UN-approved containers that are appropriate for the type of waste. The containers need to be clearly labelled and stored in a way that prevents leaks or spills.

#3 Only Use Licensed Waste Carriers

You must only hand over hazardous waste to a carrier who is licensed to transport it – this means doing our due diligence and checking their waste carrier registration. There are plenty of cases of companies prosecuted for handing hazardous waste over to unlicensed operators who went on to dump it illegally.

#4 Understand Waste Transfer and Consignment Notes

A waste transfer note must accompany every movement of non-hazardous waste. For hazardous waste, a hazardous waste consignment note is used for tracking the waste movement. These documents prove that waste has been transported legally and responsibly.

#5 Keep Records

You need to keep copies of all of your waste transfer and hazardous waste consignment notes, as well as any other relevant documents. This help prove that you’ve met your obligations, should any questions arise or a Waste Duty of Care Audit be needed.

How Long Does Your Waste Duty of Care Last?

Gone are the days of throwing something away and never giving it a second thought… Your Duty of Care doesn’t even end when waste leaves your premises. It continues until the waste has reached its final, legal destination – whether that’s a recycling facility, a treatment plant, or a licensed disposal site.

To meet your ongoing responsibility, you’re expected to take reasonable steps to make sure your waste isn’t mishandled at any stage of the journey. This isn’t just good business practice – it’s your legal obligation under the Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice.

Failing to follow the requirements can expose yourself and your business to criminal prosecution, fines, and reputational damage – even if you use a broker or dealer, you still share responsibility for what happens to your waste.

In short, your duty of care continues until the waste is fully recovered or disposed of – not just until it’s collected.

In terms of how long you should keep waste transfer notes and hazardous waste consignment notes – whether electronic or paper:

  • Two years for non-hazardous waste
  • Three years for hazardous waste

What Is a Waste Duty of Care Audit?

A Waste Duty of Care audit is a review of your business’s waste management practices to ensure you’re fully compliant with legislation. It typically looks at:

  • Waste classification procedures
  • On-site storage methods
  • Paperwork (including transfer and consignment notes)
  • Whether your waste contractors are properly licensed

Carrying out regular audits can help you spot gaps, find opportunities and stay audit-ready ahead of any surprise inspections.

Want help conducting a Waste Duty of Care audit? Get in touch, we’ll be happy to help!

Ensure Duty of Care with Reliable Waste Support

It’s one thing to understand your Duty of Care. Putting it into practice every day is another, especially amongst the stresses and trials of running a business.

That’s where Hazport comes in. We work with businesses across the UK to make hazardous waste compliance simple.

We can help you:

  • Identify and classify your waste correctly
  • Store it safely and securely on site
  • Complete the correct paperwork, every time
  • Use fully licensed transport and disposal partners
  • Keep track of your documentation in one place
  • Conduct Duty of Care audits to ensure full compliance

Our team of hazardous waste experts are here to support you at every step of the waste journey, so you can focus on running your businesses whilst we handle the hazardous waste side of things.

Contact us today to learn more about our hazardous waste disposal services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

Categories
Hazardous Waste

Rethinking Hazardous Waste in Shropshire’s Industrial Growth

In industrial Shropshire, managing waste isn’t just a task on your to-do list – it’s a liability if you get it wrong.

From the rolling countryside of Oswestry to the industrial estates of Telford, Shropshire is quietly powering some of the UK’s most vital sectors. Food producers, engineering firms, and agri-tech innovators all call this county home, and their output is growing. But with growth comes complexity. And one area that often goes overlooked until it becomes a problem is (drum roll please…) hazardous waste.

If your business is producing, handling, or storing hazardous materials – whether it’s solvents, oils, contaminated packaging, or chemicals – you’re carrying more risk than you might think. The good news is that with the right approach and a partner you can rely on, managing that risk doesn’t have to be difficult.

Looking for hazardous waste disposal in Shropshire? Click here and skip the read!

Growth Across Shropshire Means New Waste Challenges

Industrial Growth-process-Hazardous-wasteShropshire has come a long way from being known only as rural farmland and market towns, and it’s still living up to its reputation of being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. In fact, the region is seeing steady growth in several key industrial sectors, particularly:

  • Advanced manufacturing in Telford and Shrewsbury
  • Food and drink production across Bridgnorth and Ludlow
  • Engineering and fabrication throughout central and northern Shropshire
  • Agri-tech and life sciences emerging in Oswestry and surrounding areas

As well as driving the local economy and transforming Shropshire, these businesses are also generating increasingly diverse and complex waste streams, many of which are classified as hazardous under UK law.

From IBCs of spent oils to contaminated PPE and out of date chemical stock, the reality is that more businesses in Shropshire are producing hazardous waste – many still don’t realise the full extent of their responsibilities.

Hazardous Waste: A Legal and Operational Risk

Navigating hazardous waste regulations can often be daunting, especially when the stakes are high. As a hazardous waste producer, you have a clear set of responsibilities:

  • You must correctly classify and separate your hazardous waste.
  • You must store it securely and safely.
  • You must use a licensed carrier and disposal facility.
  • You must keep consignment notes and records for at least three years.

It doesn’t make a difference whether you’re a small food producer near Ludlow or a machining workshop in Whitchurch – these responsibilities apply.

And the consequences of getting hazardous waste wrong? Fines, reputational damage, environmental harm – or worse, injury and prosecution.

The Mistakes We See Most in Shropshire

We’ve been operating in the area for almost two decades, and having worked across the county for so long, we’ve come to recognise some common missteps that can lead to unnecessary risk.

Underestimating Small-Scale Waste

Do you know what we hear often? ‘Wow, you got here fast—’ oops, wrong quote… ‘We don’t produce much hazardous waste.’ However, even a single container of flammable solvent, incorrectly stored or handled, or chemically contaminated packaging that remains on your site, can put staff and property at risk. It can also land your business in hot water with the Environment Agency, and they drink hot water for breakfast.

Mixing Incompatible Materials

One bin for everything might seem efficient on paper, until you mix acids with alkalis, batteries with aerosols, or oil-soaked rags with general waste. It’s dangerous, non-compliant, and potentially explosive.

Poor Documentation

Many businesses fail to hang on to their hazardous waste consignment notes for long enough, or they rely on third-party carriers who fail to provide them. Unfortunately, it’s still your legal responsibility to demonstrate proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. As noted earlier, even small volumes of solvents or chemicals can pose major risks if not handled according to COSHH and hazardous substance guidance.

What Forward-Thinking Businesses in Shropshire Are Doing Differently

In contrast to some of the mistakes we’ve seen, we’ve also seen a number of proactive businesses we work with across Shropshire taking a smarter approach to hazardous waste management.

Conducting Waste Audits

From food plants to engineering works, the best operators regularly review their waste streams, not just for compliance with Shropshire Council’s permitted industrial processes, but also to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Training Staff Properly

Your compliance is only as strong as your team’s understanding. Businesses that invest in short, practical training that’s been tailored to their specific operations face fewer incidents, less confusion, and more confident handling.

Partnering with Specialists

Generic waste carriers often miss the mark when it comes to hazardous materials – if it’s not their main area of focus, it’s not a priority. The most successful firms we see choose partners who:

  • Know the area and respond quickly.
  • Understand their sector-specific waste.
  • Have mobile chemists available to help classify and package waste.
  • Provide full documentation and guidance, not just waste collections.

Why Local Knowledge Makes the Difference

At Hazport, we’ve supported businesses across Shropshire for almost two decades – from Telford’s industrial zones to rural depots near Oswestry. We know the county’s infrastructure, access issues, and local regulatory expectations.

Whether it’s:

  • Weekly collections for oil drums in Bridgnorth,
  • Lab packing for chemical stores in Shrewsbury, or
  • Emergency response to a spill on a remote farm site near Market Drayton

We remove the guesswork and bring experience, clarity and speed to every job.

Whilst Hazport can handle and dispose of any hazardous waste produced by businesses and commercial enterprises required to use licensed carriers, we can’t collect household waste.

For hazardous household waste – please handle with care and do not dispose of it with your general waste. Shropshire Council advises taking it to your nearest household recycling centre instead.

It’s Not Just About Disposal – It’s About Reputation

With the UK Government aiming to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and shifting workplace priorities, more and more businesses are being asked to prove their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials.

Hazardous waste management is one of the clearest indicators of how seriously you take your environmental responsibilities – you don’t want to be known as the restaurant pouring oil down the drains out back, or the fly tipping construction company after all.

  • Can you show how much hazardous waste you’ve generated this year?
  • Do you have plans in place to reduce the amount of hazardous waste you produce?
  • Can you demonstrate how it was handled and where it went?
  • Can you prove your provider is licensed and compliant?

If not, you’ve got a blind spot, and that blind spot could be costly. If you can’t demonstrate how your waste has been classified in line with the WM3 Waste Classification Guidance, you may fall short of audit expectations.

Waste Shouldn’t Be the Weak Link

Compliant hazardous waste management isn’t a box to tick – it’s a large part of your operational footprint. And as Shropshire continues to grow its industrial profile, the pressure to get it right is increasing.

The best time to get on top of your hazardous waste management was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.

Shropshire Business Owners – Let’s Talk

Hazport is your local specialist for hazardous waste disposal in Shropshire.

We offer:

  • Free site audits
  • Tailored collection plans
  • Full compliance support
  • A team that understands your industry — and your postcode

Contact us today to learn more about our hazardous waste services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

Categories
Hazardous Waste

Understanding the 15 Hazard Property Codes for Responsible Waste Management

Hazard Property Codes for Waste

Have you ever had to guess which properties make your waste hazardous? Proper classification is crucial for any business and all the more so for those producing hazardous waste. A key part of this process is understanding the 15 Hazard Property (HP) codes, which categorise waste based on its specific hazardous characteristics.

This brief guide explains what HP codes are, why they’re important, and how they contribute to responsible and compliant waste management. So read on, and allow us to remove the guesswork… 

  • What Are Hazard Property Codes?
  • Why Are Hazard Property Codes Important?
  • The 15 Hazard Property Codes Explained
  • Maintaining Compliance for Responsible Waste Management
  • Need Help Classifying Your Waste?

What Are Hazard Property Codes?

The 15 HP codes defined within the Technical Guidance WM3: Waste Classification are used to categorise waste based on its specific hazardous properties. It’s how we identify waste as hazardous, and what makes it so.

This classification system helps to ensure the safe and responsible handling, transport and disposal of hazardous waste materials. 

Why Are Hazard Property Codes Important?

There are numerous reasons that Hazard Property codes are important, the main ones include: 

Safety

Understanding the inherent hazards of your waste is paramount for the safety of both staff and the public. Knowing the specific risks allows you to implement appropriate safety measures and ensure the correct PPE is always readily available. It also helps when defining the handling and storage procedures of your waste. 

Sustainability

When hazardous waste isn’t managed correctly, it can pose serious risks to the environment. Incorrect disposal can lead to soil and water contamination, causing harm to ecosystems and potentially impacting human health. 

Compliance

Legal and regulatory compliance should always be an important priority for any waste producer, and all the more so when that waste has the potential to cause harm. UK environmental regulations strictly enforce the proper classification and management of hazardous waste – failing to do so can lead to significant legal and financial penalties. 

 

On the flip side, safety and sustainability will be natural byproducts of adhering to the established regulations. 

The 15 Hazard Property Codes Explained

As mentioned at the outset, each HP code is used to categorise waste based on its specific hazardous properties but to do that effectively, you’ll need to know which types of waste each code represents. 

#1 Explosive Waste (HP 1):

Waste that can explode or cause a sudden, violent reaction. 

Think: Pyrotechnics, fireworks, and unstable chemicals.

#2 Oxidising Waste (HP 2):

Waste that helps things burn more easily.

Think: Substances that make fires worse, like strong bleaches and fertilisers containing nitrates.

#3 Flammable Waste (HP 3):

Waste that easily catches fire.

Think: Petrol, sulphur, solvents, paint, and methane.

#4 Irritant Waste (HP 4):

Waste that can irritate your skin or damage your eyes upon contact.

Think: Weak acids, detergents, solvents, and bleaches.

#5 STOT (Specific Target Organ Toxicity) (HP 5):

Waste that can cause harm to specific organs if you’re exposed to it over time or breathe it in.

Think: Chemicals that damage the liver or kidneys, such as solvents, oils and greases, and pesticides.

#6 Acute Toxicity Waste (HP 6):

Waste that can seriously harm you with just one exposure (swallowing, breathing, or skin contact).

Think: Highly poisonous substances such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and lead paint.

#7 Carcinogenic Waste  (HP 7):

Waste that is known or suspected to cause cancer. 

Think: Certain chemicals linked to cancer, such as asbestos, hydrocarbons, and alcohol.

#8 Corrosive Waste (HP 8):

Waste that can eat through skin or other materials.

Think: Strong acids and bases that burn.

#9 Infectious Waste (HP 9):

Waste containing germs that can make people or animals sick.

Think: Certain types of healthcare waste such as clinical waste, and some lab waste.

#10 Toxic for Reproduction (HP 10):

Waste that can harm a person’s ability to have children or harm a developing foetus.

Think: Chemicals that affect fertility, such as chlorinated solvents, oils, and diesel.  

#11 Mutagenic Waste (HP 11):

Waste that can change a living thing’s DNA, potentially causing birth defects or genetic problems.

Think: Some chemicals that alter genes, such as petrol, UV inks, and cytotoxic drugs.

#12 Releases Acute Toxic Gas (HP 12):

Waste that releases poisonous gases when mixed with water or acid.

Think: Bleach, rat poison, water purifying chemicals, and some batteries.

#13 Sensitising Waste (HP 13):

Waste that can cause allergic reactions, affecting the skin or respiratory system.

Think: Substances that cause skin rashes or breathing problems, such as disinfectants, latex, epoxy resin, and silicon oil.

#14 Ecotoxic Waste (HP 14):

Waste that harms the environment, including plants, animals and water. 

Think: Pollutants that damage ecosystems, such as hydrocarbons, herbicides, pesticides, epoxy resin, and bleach.

#15 Waste Capable of Exhibiting a Hazardous Property (HP 15):

Waste that may possess any of the above hazards. This refers to waste capable of exhibiting a hazardous property (HP1-HP14) but not directly displayed by the original waste.

Think: Waste that can leach harmful chemicals into the ground, such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, picric acid, and wetted or desensitised explosives.

 

So, with the 15 HP codes explained, let’s take a more in-depth look at maintaining compliance.

Maintaining Compliance for Responsible Waste Management

Maintaining compliance isn’t just a legal obligation, it’s a cornerstone of responsible business practices.

What can help you to stay compliant? Here are a few tips:

  • Stay informed: Regularly review and update your understanding of the latest environmental regulations and best practices.
  • Classify waste correctly: Accurately identify and classify all hazardous waste being generated by your business using the Hazard Property codes.
  • Keep detailed records: Keep and maintain records of all waste generation, transportation and disposal activities.
  • Partner with a reputable waste service provider: Choose a partner with a proven track record of compliance and a commitment to safe and responsible waste management practices.

What Happens if You Fail to Maintain Compliance?

There are many consequences for mismanaging hazardous waste, none of them good. They include:

  • Heavy fines: Penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, significantly impacting your bottom line.
  • Legal action: In serious cases, businesses may face legal action, including prosecution and potential imprisonment for responsible parties.
  • Reputational damage: Non-compliance can damage your company’s good name, eroding public trust and potentially impacting customer relationships.
  • Environmental harm: Improper waste disposal can lead to soil and water contamination, harming ecosystems and potentially impacting human health.
  • Operational disruptions: Non-compliance can lead to site inspections, enforcement actions, and even temporary or permanent closure of operations.

Are you looking for a list of relevant UK authorities? You can find them on our Hazardous Waste Compliance page.

By prioritising compliance, you can minimise health risks, protect your business and contribute to a healthier environment.

Need Help Classifying Your Waste?

If you’re unsure about Hazard Property codes or anything else to do with hazardous waste management, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experienced team is ready and willing to support you every step of the way, from identifying and classifying your waste to packaging and final disposal.

Contact us today to learn more about our hazardous waste services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

Categories
Hazardous Waste

How to Reduce Hazardous Waste

How to Reduce Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste management comes with all kinds of risks, including environmental damage, human health hazards, and steep fines. Instead of merely managing these dangers, what if we could eliminate them at the source? 

Reducing your hazardous waste is a great step in the right direction, and we have a few practical strategies to help you move towards a less hazardous future. 

  • Why Is It Important to Reduce Hazardous Waste?
  • Preventing Hazardous Waste Generation
  • Strategies to Reduce Hazardous Waste
  • Building a Greener, Less Hazardous Future

Why Is It Important to Reduce Hazardous Waste?

Understanding hazardous waste makes it clear why reduction is so important – it poses serious environmental risks and can directly impact our health. For example, if hazardous materials find their way into soil or water systems, they can cause long-term damage affecting everything from local wildlife to our drinking water. 

Beyond the environmental impacts of hazardous waste and subsequent health issues from mismanaging it, ensuring safe and compliant waste management can be tricky, especially if you’re unsure of the regulations or the type of waste you’re dealing with. 

It can be complicated, and expensive, and it involves stringent processes for disposal and treatment at a specialised facility. Compliant hazardous waste management is a necessity, not a ‘nice-to-have’. Complying with regulations like the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 will save you from hefty fines, legal troubles and much more. 

As you start cutting down on hazardous waste, you’ll notice a decrease in the time and resources spent managing it and an enhanced reputation as a business committed to environmental responsibility.

Preventing Hazardous Waste Generation

The best way to reduce hazardous waste is to prevent it altogether, in line with the most favourable position on the waste hierarchy. 

You can get a start on this by switching to non-hazardous materials whenever possible. Opting for non-hazardous or less hazardous alternatives can significantly reduce the volume of hazardous waste you generate. 

How can you do this? One way is by asking your suppliers about any available alternatives for the hazardous substances you currently use in your processes, and see where practical changes can be made. Networking with similar businesses and joining trade associations can keep you updated on the latest hazardous waste management and prevention developments. 

You never know, there may be more options than you think!

Strategies to Reduce Hazardous Waste

If entirely preventing hazardous waste isn’t possible, the next best step is to reduce it as much as possible. Here are some strategies you can use to do so:

Conduct Regular Maintenance

Staying vigilant with regular maintenance is essential for reducing hazardous waste, and it’s easier than you might think. Start by frequently checking your systems and equipment for leaks. Even a tiny leak can cause hazardous materials to escape and contaminate your workspace.

Substitute Your Materials

As mentioned earlier, you can actively seek out and substitute hazardous waste materials with less hazardous or non-hazardous alternatives. This could involve switching to water-based solvents, using biodegradable cleaning products, or opting for digital documentation instead of printed materials that require hazardous inks.

Improve Your Production Efficiency

Boosting your production efficiency is a game-changer in reducing hazardous waste. Start by choosing non-hazardous raw materials and tweaking your products to eliminate those hazardous components. This simple switch can make a huge difference in your waste footprint. 

But don’t stop there. Enhance your quality control procedures to make sure fewer defective products are wasted. Think of it as catching mistakes before they become costly problems. Also, by adopting better working practices, you can cut down on the need for frequent and extensive cleaning, which means using fewer hazardous cleaning products. The result? Less waste, lower costs, and a cleaner, safer workplace for everyone.

Modify Your Processes

Reviewing your production processes is another effective way to identify areas where hazardous material usage can be minimised. This might involve: 

  • Optimising processes: Streamline operations to reduce waste generation during manufacturing.
  • Implementing closed-loop systems: Recycle and reuse materials wherever possible within the production process to minimise waste output.
  • Improving inventory management: Implement a ‘first-in, first-out’ (FIFO) system to prevent materials from expiring and becoming waste. Inventory control can also help you avoid over-purchasing.

Upgrade Your Old Equipment

Sticking with outdated equipment can lead to increased hazardous waste and higher costs. Old machinery often struggles to handle hazardous materials precisely, leading to more spills, leaks, and contamination. This can drive up waste volume and put you at risk for expensive regulatory fines.

Reduce Your Volumes

Focus on reducing the quantity of hazardous materials used in each process. You can achieve this through: 

  • Using concentrated products: Concentrated cleaning agents or other products that require dilution, reduce the amount of packaging waste and the overall volume of hazardous material stored.
  • Precise application methods: Implement techniques that ensure the accurate application of hazardous materials, minimising overspray, spills and excess usage.

Recover and Reuse Your Materials

Recovering and reusing materials isn’t just smart, it’s a low-hanging fruit for reducing hazardous waste. Start by pinpointing materials that can be reused on-site and set up efficient processes for recycling or recovering hazardous substances. For materials that can’t be reused in-house, consider sending them to off-site facilities for proper treatment, recycling, or recovery.

Segregate and Recycle Your Waste

Properly segregating hazardous waste streams prevents contamination and maximises opportunities for recycling or more sustainable treatment methods. Clearly label containers and ensure employees are aware of proper segregation procedures. It’s also worth exploring opportunities for recycling specific hazardous waste streams.

Treat Your Waste On-Site

In some cases, it may be feasible to treat your hazardous waste on-site* to reduce its toxicity or volume before final disposal. This can include neutralisation, detoxification, or volume reduction techniques. 

*It’s crucial to ensure compliance with all relevant environmental regulations before implementing any on-site treatment methods.

Train Your Employees

Comprehensive training is a must-have for all employees of a business producing hazardous waste and as a minimum should cover: 

  • Proper handling and storage of hazardous materials
  • Safe operating procedures for equipment and processes involving hazardous substances
  • Waste segregation and labelling procedures
  • Emergency response procedures for spills or releases
  • The importance of waste reduction and company-specific strategies 

Your team should be well-trained in handling hazardous materials and familiar with your company’s specific waste management practices. Regular training sessions can keep everyone up-to-date on the latest safety protocols and techniques for minimising waste. 

When everyone knows exactly how to manage hazardous materials, they can help reduce accidental spills and mishandling, further cutting down on waste generation.

Building a Greener, Less Hazardous Future

Reducing hazardous waste is a worthwhile endeavour for any business using hazardous materials. By doing so, you can make a big difference, you can protect the environment, safeguard your team, reduce health risks, boost cost savings, and maximise operational efficiency. 

Contact us today to learn more about our hazardous waste services and how we can help your business reduce hazardous waste and manage the waste you generate more effectively.

Categories
Hazardous Waste

Navigating Hazardous Waste Regulations: A Brief Overview

Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005

Do you find navigating hazardous waste regulations a struggle? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and guidance, you can ensure your business is compliant and environmentally responsible. 

If you’re a hazardous waste producer, you’re probably already familiar with the regulations. However, if you’ve just started producing hazardous waste, you might not know the ins and outs.

Whether you’re in a small garage or a large hospital, understanding the UK’s hazardous waste regulations is essential. These rules aren’t just red tape – they’re designed to protect your health and the environment. In this blog, we’ll break down these regulations into easy-to-understand segments, helping you navigate the complexities of hazardous waste management with confidence and clarity.  

What are the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005?

The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 are a set of rules created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). They were designed as a safeguard to ensure the proper handling of hazardous waste to protect both human health and our environment.

They’re divided into 12 parts and cover a broad range of requirements, detailing specific areas that address the management and disposal of hazardous waste, including waste classification, duties of care, record-keeping and transportation.

These regulations are crucial for managing, storing, disposing and tracking hazardous waste in England and Wales, providing comprehensive guidelines to help businesses of all sizes ensure the safe, legal, and responsible management of hazardous waste.

Who Needs to Follow the Hazardous Waste Regulations?

Every business in England and Wales that produces hazardous waste must comply with these regulations – there is no business too small or large to be exempt.

This includes a variety of business types across a range of industries such as laboratories, factories, automotive garages, dry cleaning companies, healthcare facilities, construction companies and the agricultural sector.

In fact, even a small office unit producing printer toner cartridges must adhere to these regulations.

For instance, a small garage producing wastes like oil filters and brake fluid must ensure the waste is correctly classified, safely stored and transported by authorised carriers. Similarly, a large pharmaceutical manufacturer handling chemicals such as acids, oxidising agents and heavy metals must follow the same strict protocols to manage and dispose of the materials safely.

5 Key Provisions of the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005

Understanding what hazardous waste is will set you off to a strong start with compliance, but you’ll also need to be aware of the regulations that govern its management.  Here are five key elements of those regulations:

#1 Duty of Care

As a business producing, storing, transporting or disposing of hazardous waste, you must take every reasonable step to prevent harm to human health and the environment. This includes ensuring proper storage, labelling and transportation of waste. 

#2 Producer Responsibility

As a producer of hazardous waste, you’re responsible for its management throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal. This can involve minimising waste generation, implementing recycling options where possible and ensuring correct disposal in all instances. 

#3 Licensing Requirements

Certain activities involving hazardous waste, such as storage, treatment and disposal, may require a license from the Environment Agency. The specific licensing requirements will depend on the type and quantity of waste you’re producing. 

#4 Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes

When transferring hazardous waste, you must complete a hazardous waste consignment note (HWCN). This document provides a detailed record of the waste’s journey, including its origin, destination and the parties involved in its transfer. 

#5 Record Keeping

Businesses of all sizes must keep accurate records of all hazardous waste activities, from generation to storage, transportation and disposal. These records must be retained for a specified period of time.

  

To ensure full compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, businesses should consult the regulations directly or seek advice from a qualified waste management professional.  

Practical Tips for Hazardous Waste Compliance

Here are some practical steps to help your business stay on the right side of hazardous waste regulations:

  • Conduct a waste audit: Identify and categorise all hazardous waste your business is generating.
  • Classify your waste properly: Use the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) to identify hazardous materials accurately.
  • Use appropriate containers: Ensure all storage containers are suitable for the specific type of waste they hold and that your waste is correctly segregated.
  • Train your staff: Equip your staff with the knowledge they need to understand their responsibilities and how to handle hazardous waste safely.
  • Always complete consignment notes: This ensures all necessary details are documented, including the waste type, quantity and destination before being transported.
  • Partner with a reputable waste management company: Choose a licensed carrier with a proven track record of compliance, expertise and reliability, such as Hazport. 

Don’t Let Hazardous Waste Compliance Become a Headache

By understanding the key provisions of the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and following best practices for hazardous waste management, you can protect your business from legal and environmental risks.

When it comes to the legal repercussions of getting it wrong, the Environment Agency and the Natural Resources Wales are responsible for enforcing these regulations. They conduct regular inspections and audits to ensure businesses comply with the rules.

Non-compliance can result in significant fines and, in severe cases, legal action. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency oversees regulations in Scotland, while Northern Ireland has specific requirements managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Businesses must maintain accurate records of all hazardous waste-related activities, including storage, transport, and disposal. This record-keeping is crucial for demonstrating compliance and is often reviewed during inspections.

Adhering to these regulations isn’t only a legal requirement, it’s also a crucial aspect of responsible business practice.  

What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance with Hazardous Waste Regulations?

Failing to comply with hazardous waste regulations can result in severe penalties. Businesses can face fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance. Regular audits and inspections by regulatory bodies can identify non-compliance, leading to legal actions and potential business disruptions.  

Still Unsure About Hazardous Waste Regulations? Allow Us to Remove the Guesswork!

With over 20 years of experience, Hazport can help you ensure compliance and safety with your hazardous waste disposal.

From categorisation to collection, we can handle everything from toxic and flammable waste to laboratory chemicals, ensuring all hazardous materials are contained, collected, and disposed of in line with hazardous waste regulations.

Our services are designed to reduce risk exposure, protect the environment, and offer traceable, waste management solutions. With a fully licensed fleet of vehicles across the UK and expertly trained staff, Hazport is a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable and cost-effective hazardous waste solutions. 

Partner with Hazport Today

Don’t leave your safety and compliance to chance. Partner with Hazport to ensure that your hazardous waste is handled the right way. Our experienced team is ready to support you every step of the way, from identifying and segregating waste to final disposal.

Contact us today to learn more about our hazardous waste services and how we can help you create a safer and more compliant waste management system for your facility.

Categories
Chemical Waste Hazardous Waste

What Is Chemical Waste?

What Is Chemical Waste

What comes to your mind when you hear the term ‘chemical waste’? Hopefully, it’s not ‘What is chemical waste?’

But if it is, we’ve got you covered…

Read on as we remove the guesswork and define exactly what chemical waste is along with some examples and tips for handling it safely and in compliance with regulations.

What Is Chemical Waste?

Chemical waste refers to any discarded material that either contains dangerous chemicals or has come into contact with them. This material can exist in various forms – solid, liquid, or gaseous – and may pose risks to human and environmental health.

Examples of chemical waste range from substances with apparent hazards such as acids and pesticides, to seemingly safer but still potentially risky materials like cleaning products and paint.

So that’s the definition covered, but what about specific types of chemical waste? You might find some of them surprising…

Examples of Chemical Waste

A variety of chemical waste can be either hazardous or non-hazardous, and this type of waste isn’t limited to laboratories either – you can find chemical waste in everyday settings such as automotive garages and offices.

Whether you’re a lab technician, gardener, cleaner or you work in an administrative role, there’s a high probability you’ll come into contact with some form of chemical waste at some point in your working day – understanding what classifies as chemical waste is crucial for ensuring all waste is appropriately segregated before disposal.

Common types of chemical wastes include:

  • Batteries ranging from household ones to car and machinery batteries.
  • Chemical containers or packaging contaminated due to contact with chemicals.
  • Cleaning products like detergents, disinfectants, and sprays.
  • Fluorescent light bulbs containing argon, xenon, neon, and mercury vapour.
  • Paints such as emulsion, gloss, primer, etc.
  • Printer toner and ink cartridges including empty ink cartridges considered contaminated by contact with chemicals.
  • Pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and biocides.
  • Solvents like acetone, ethanol, methanol.
  • Waste oils including diesel, kerosene, gearbox oil and other types.
  • Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) products and their internal components.
  • Used aerosol cans such as deodorants, air fresheners, and more.

If you have chemical waste you’re unsure about or want to get rid of any of the above items, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Where Does Chemical Waste Go?

For a long time, the norm was for companies to send their chemical waste to landfill. The biggest problem with that methodology is the environmental damage it can cause, risking leaks into the surrounding ground or water and causing pollution.

Nowadays, however, there are alternative methods available for chemical waste disposal, depending on the type of chemicals involved, these include:

  • Reclamation: This involves removing and recycling chemical waste products like mercury from items such as broken thermometers.
  • Dewatering: This method is suitable for oil waste, separating the oil from water for proper disposal.
  • Filtering and distilling: Filtering eliminates additives or inorganic materials, whilst distilling refines oil through boiling. Both processes enable the reuse of oil in some capacity.
  • Chemical treatments: Certain types of chemical waste, such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acids can be repurposed after undergoing specific chemical treatments.
  • Thermal treatments: Applying heat helps sanitise waste products, ensuring the safe and secure disposal of chemical waste.

What’s The Safest Way to Store Chemical Waste?

Regardless of whether the waste is classified as hazardous or non-hazardous, it’s crucial to manage, store, and dispose of chemical waste securely and in accordance with safety guidelines.

To ensure compliance with chemical waste disposal regulations and safe storage within your facility before collection, it’s essential to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Exercise caution and care in handling chemical waste and/or products both before, during, and after use.
  • Any person interacting with chemical waste and/or products must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to health and safety protocols.
  • Store chemical waste at a designated location within your facility, inaccessible to the general public, such as a locked or concealed area.
  • Ensure the separation of chemical wastes from other hazardous materials and place them in appropriate chemical waste bins and containers. Regularly inspect these containers to confirm they remain undamaged.

Doing so will keep you compliant with government chemical waste disposal regulations such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).

Regulations and Guidelines for UK Chemical Waste Disposal

Companies looking for chemical waste disposal in the UK fall under the broader framework of waste management and environmental protection laws. All producers of chemical waste are subject to regulations that govern the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste, including chemical waste.

The key regulations and guidelines for chemical waste disposal include:

All businesses must adhere to these regulations to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of chemical waste.

Check out our Compliance page for more helpful links and additional information about hazardous waste compliance and regulatory guidance.

Which Business Types Produce Chemical Waste?

Various businesses across the UK produce chemical waste necessitating proper disposal solutions, ranging from empty ink cartridges and expired hand sanitisers to specialist laboratory chemical waste packing.

Some of the main business types in need of chemical waste collection and their most common waste types include:

  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturers – Unused chemicals, expired pharmaceuticals, and materials involved in the manufacturing process.
  • Laboratories – Chemical waste containers, products containing mercury, solvents, resins, acids, and dyes.
  • Healthcare Facilities – Clinical waste, chemicals, cleaning products, disinfectants, and sharps waste.
  • Industrial and Manufacturing – Industrial solvents, waste oils, brake fluids, and production materials.
  • Construction Companies – Paints, adhesives, and construction materials.
  • Land Developers – Fertilisers, pesticides, landscaping, soil treatment, site preparation, and construction-related chemicals.
  • Car Garages and Workshops – Used oils, brake fluids, and cleaning agents.
  • Dry Cleaners – Cleaning agents such as perchloroethylene (PERC).
  • Farms and Agricultural Companies – Pesticides, fertilisers, brake fluids, and waste oils.

Looking for Chemical Waste Support?

Whether you’ve got chemical waste that needs collecting, you need help to identify and label your waste, or you have a waste-related question – don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Get In Touch

Categories
Hazardous Waste

How to Handle Hazardous Waste in an Emergency

How to Handle Hazardous Waste In an Emergency

Hazardous waste emergencies can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. One minute, you’re carrying out work operations as normal, and the next, you’re dealing with a critical situation.

This guide offers a step-by-step approach to handle these situations effectively. We focus on preparation, response, and post-incident actions, helping you achieve emergency preparedness.

We cover everything from recognising an emergency to containment, stabilisation and cleanup. This post provides vital insights and actionable steps to help you protect your team if an emergency waste situation arises.

What is a Hazardous Waste Emergency?

A hazardous waste emergency involves the unexpected release of hazardous substances, such as an oil spill or a chemical leak. These emergencies demand swift action to mitigate health hazards and environmental damage.

Preparing for a Hazardous Waste Emergency

It’s essential to outline a plan for hazardous waste emergencies so that you’re prepared when they happen. Sudden hazardous waste emergencies can pose a risk to health and the environment due to their toxic effects and potential exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Your company may already have an emergency action plan, if so, make sure that you familiarise yourself with it and understand any named roles such as Incident Controller or Fire Marshal.

You need a well-crafted site emergency response plan that adheres to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards.

Here are a few examples of what your emergency plan should include:

  • How will you contain different types of hazardous substance releases?
  • How will you safeguard the people and environment surrounding the emergency?
  • The roles and responsibilities of each individual during the emergency, including local authorities.
  • The training requirements needed to achieve this response plan for sudden releases of hazardous substances.
  • The communication channels you will use during the emergency, specifically how you will contact emergency services.

Writing this plan is only the first step. You also need to provide regular drills and comprehensive team training to ensure you can carry out your emergency recovery operations.

Your emergency response should be almost instinctual. The team must transition from routine work operations to an emergency response with minimal delay. This can be the difference between an effective and poor emergency plan.

5 Steps to Handle a Hazardous Waste Emergency

There are five parts to a simple and straightforward emergency plan, including:

1. Area Evacuation

The safety of everyone in the surrounding area in case of a hazardous waste emergency is paramount. The evacuation plan is initiated by sounding the emergency alert. This leads people to their designated safe places or assembly points, away from the hazardous waste. Your occupational safety plan must also include individuals with disabilities and detailed routes that avoid the affected area.

First aid stations along evacuation routes can provide immediate care in cases of difficulty breathing or irritation due to exposure. For additional information and resources, employees should be encouraged to consult secure websites or official government organisation webpages, like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which provides guidelines on evacuation procedures in contaminated areas.

Finally, you must communicate if there are any missing people during the evacuation to local emergency services. A good way to track this is by taking note of ID badges at each assembly point. That way, you can see who has checked in and who hasn’t.

2. Fire Fighting

When a fire breaks out, only trained individuals should respond swiftly, using designated firefighting equipment stored in accessible storage areas. Your appointed fire wardens must have location plans for fire hoses, extinguishers and water sources.

You must coordinate with the local fire department to ensure additional professional help is on the way, reinforcing the efforts of on-site personnel. Employer requirements may dictate specific firefighting protocols to minimise health risks to workers and emergency responders, especially when dealing with chemical hazards. Official websites can offer additional resources on effective firefighting strategies in industrial settings.

3. Remove the Substance to a Safe Place

Next, you must contain the release of hazardous substances to prevent the spread. There are several ways to do this, including dry sand, sawdust, proprietary booms, and absorbent pads.

The HSE offers specific guidance for different types of hazardous waste materials. For example, they do not recommend dry brushing for fine, dusty materials. This could spread the hazardous material further rather than clearing it up. Instead, they recommend using a vacuum cleaner.

Ensuring that hazardous materials are moved to designated storage areas helps control the situation and prepares for the next steps of decontamination and neutralisation.

4. Preventing Further Pollution

Once you’ve contained the spill, your focus needs to shift towards stopping any further contamination to the environment.

  • Isolate the area: it’s crucial to prevent unauthorised access to the affected area.
  • Contain the spill: use physical barriers like booms, dams, or absorbent pads to stop the spread into drains, waterways, or other vulnerable areas.
  • Shut off sources: if possible, turn off valves, pumps, or other equipment that could contribute to the spill.
  • Protect drainage systems: Cover drains and gutters to prevent hazardous substances from entering the water system.
  • Monitor air quality: if there’s a risk of airborne contamination, monitor air quality and consider implementing ventilation measures.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the hazardous waste incident and facilitate the cleanup process.

5. Stabilisation and Cleanup

Spill containment and cleanup is usually safer than trying to neutralise waste in situ. With neutralisation, you’re adding more chemicals into the spill, leading to an increased risk of non-containment. You also run the risk of secondary reactions and the evolution of heat/gas.

If you do use neutralising agents, like acids and alkalis, they should be chosen based on the waste’s specific properties and contamination risks.

Emergency spill kits can be used for cleanup, and must be maintained so they are always fit for purpose, cleanup workers should wear personal protective equipment when conducting cleanup operations.

In your emergency plan, you should detail an appropriate treatment strategy for each group of chemicals. Once you have treated the material in a safe manner, the area must be washed with water.

Employees should refer to the HSE requirements for guidance on appropriate stabilisation techniques. In cases where the chemical hazards pose a risk of skin irritation or respiratory issues, immediate access to first aid and medical advice is crucial to protect worker safety.

Which Hazardous Waste Emergency Regulations Should I Follow?

With so much information online, it can be difficult to decipher which standards you should follow. If you’re in the UK, stick to HSE and not the United States’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards and HAZWOPER training requirements.

Post-Emergency Hazardous Waste Management

The aftermath of an emergency is crucial for identifying lessons learned and improving response strategies. What went well and what didn’t? Your systematic review of the incident should focus on key areas like communication flow, resource utilisation, and the effectiveness of the emergency response plan.

Be Prepared for an Emergency Situation

In emergencies involving hazardous waste, the priority is always the safety of individuals and the protection of the environment. An effective response, worker preparedness, and thorough post-incident analysis are the pillars of managing these critical situations. Don’t underestimate the importance of coordination, compliance assistance, and ensuring all actions are conducted safely to mitigate the risk of exposure.

Do You Need Help Preparing for or Dealing with a Hazardous Waste Emergency?

At Hazport, we remove the guesswork from hazardous waste with compliant and cost-effective solutions to help you dispose of your waste correctly.

Whether it’s an emergency or you just need help removing your waste, we’re the hazardous waste specialist you can rely on. We even offer a mobile chemist service to identify, classify and pack chemical waste for your business.

Get in touch for more information.

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Hazardous Waste

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Hazardous Waste?

The Environemntal Impacts of Hazardous Waste

When not disposed of properly, hazardous waste can profoundly impact the environment and our health. Hazardous materials, like fireworks, paints, and pesticides, can impact our water sources, soil, the air we breathe, and the wildlife around us. These hazardous materials can lead to serious health implications, including genetic mutations, birth defects, and cancer.

Proper hazardous waste disposal is critical. In this article, we explore the environmental and health impacts of hazardous waste and how your business can help to prevent them.

The Environmental Impact of Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste poses significant threats to our environment, affecting water, soil, air, wildlife, and ultimately human health. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective waste management strategies to protect our planet and well-being.

Water Pollution

Hazardous waste can contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater with many toxic substances. This pollution originates from various sources, including runoff from industrial sites, leaching from landfills, and discharges from treatment plants.

When toxic substances enter aquatic environments, they disrupt the delicate ecological balance. Fish and other marine organisms absorb these pollutants, which can decrease biodiversity, disrupt food chains, and affect water quality for human consumption. Total waste management solutions and water treatment systems are critical for preventing these contaminants from compromising our water resources.

Soil, Sediment, and Dust

Soil contamination is another significant consequence of hazardous waste mismanagement. Heavy metals, chemical waste spills, and agricultural runoff deposit harmful substances in the soil. These substances can remain in the soil for years, eventually altering the soil’s composition and fertility. This degradation impacts plant growth and crop yields, decreasing biodiversity and disrupting soil health.

Furthermore, contaminated dust and sediment can spread these pollutants through wind and water erosion, extending the impacts beyond the immediate contamination site. Effective soil management and remediation strategies are crucial to address these issues and restore land quality.

Air Pollution

Hazardous waste contributes to air pollution through the release of volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and other pollutants during waste processing and disposal. Incineration, one of the waste disposal methods, can release toxic gases and particulates if not correctly managed. These pollutants pose significant health risks in exposed populations, such as respiratory ailments, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.

Fires

Fires at hazardous waste facilities or disposal sites are particularly concerning. They can release a complex mix of pollutants into the environment, generating dense clouds of toxic smoke and ash that spread over large areas.

The health implications for nearby communities can be severe, ranging from acute exposure effects to long-term health consequences. Preventative measures, rigorous safety standards, and emergency response plans are essential to mitigate the risk of fires and their environmental impact.

 

Wildlife Mutations

Exposure to hazardous waste can induce genetic wildlife mutations, leading to detrimental changes in reproductive success, physical development, and overall survival. These mutations affect individual organisms but can also have broader ecological implications, disrupting local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Long-Term Impacts

Certain types of hazardous waste, particularly radioactive and clinical waste, have long-term impacts on the environment and human health. The prolonged presence of these materials in the environment poses ongoing risks to ecosystems and human health as they continue to contaminate soil, water, and air. Safe, secure, and environmentally sound disposal of these materials can prevent future environmental and health challenges.

The Effects of Hazardous Waste on Human Health

The impact of hazardous waste on human health is profound and multifaceted. When human populations come into direct contact with hazardous waste—be it through the air, water, or soil—the potential health repercussions are significant. These can range from acute symptoms like nausea and headaches to chronic conditions, including reproductive impairment, kidney failure, and other physiological malfunctions.

Physical deformations and signs of mutation may arise from long-term exposure to hazardous chemicals found in certain types of hazardous waste, such as asbestos and mercury. In the UK, chemical waste disposal, especially radioactive waste, demands stringent guidelines to minimise the amount of hazardous waste and its effects on the human body.

Hazardous Waste Disposal and the Environment

Hazardous waste poses a multifaceted threat to the environment and human health. Comprehensive and effective waste management strategies are essential to manage these threats and safeguard our planet for future generations.

How to Prevent the Environmental Impacts of Hazardous Waste

Ultimately, these environmental and human impacts can be prevented with proper hazardous waste disposal and management. Hazport provides a cost-effective and compliant solution that covers hazardous waste collection, transportation and disposal. Our quick and reliable service helps businesses pack, label, collect and dispose of their hazardous waste properly.

We also provide guidance on storing, handling, and disposing of your hazardous waste on-site. With Hazport, you can rest assured that your hazardous waste has been handled correctly, reducing its environmental risk.

Contact us if you’d like help with your hazardous waste.