What’s the problem?

The UK produces over 5 million tonnes of Hazardous Waste each year. Hazardous waste is waste that contains hazardous properties that may be harmful to human health and the environment. For instance, it may be flammable, toxic or corrosive.

Examples of hazardous waste include:

Asbestos

Chemical wastes

Healthcare wastes

Fluorescent light tubes

Lead-acid batteries

Oily sludges

Pesticides

Solvents

Dumped Hazardous waste poses a significant risk to the environment and it is often the taxpayer who is left to pay the clearance bill.

What you must do

Hazardous Waste must be disposed of in a safe and controlled manner. You must register your premises with the Environment Agency before you allow your hazardous waste to leave your premises. The Environment Agency will issue you with a unique registration code. To register: By phone: call 08708 502 858 between 9 am and 5pm

Online: visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/apps/hazwaste/registrationwelcome

Certain types of premises including offices, shops, medical practices, and nursing homes, are exempt from registration if they produce less than 200kg of hazardous waste each year. For more information on environmental permits or exemptions you can contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506.

Once you have registered, you need to ensure the person who takes your waste is a registered waste carrier. Hazardous Waste must be disposed of it at a suitable licensed facility. You will also need to complete a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note. These must be kept for at least three years. If you have any questions on how to dispose of your waste legally call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506. You can find the registered carriers in your area by visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister

You have a responsibility to ensure your waste is disposed of legally. This is your duty of care. If your waste is found dumped, magistrates can impose fines of up to £50,000. For the more serious cases, the fine is unlimited and could lead to imprisonment.

Act now to help stop illegal dumping.