Hazardous waste guidelines
Waste is considered ‘hazardous’ under environmental legislation when it contains substances or has properties that could make it harmful to human health and the environment.
Many types of waste material is classified as ‘hazardous’ and quite often waste removal companies will have to follow strict guidelines and complete a hazarodus waste consignment note before being aloud to dispose of the waste at a registered waste transfer station. Hazardous waste is defined in the Hazardous Waste List incorporated in the European Waste Catalogue.
Common types of hazarodus waste-
Asbestos
Asbestos cna be very damaging to both the environment and to human health. It contains cancer causing fibres that get stuck in the lungs. It also does not break down very easily and hangs around a long time in the environment. All asbestos has to be handled very carefully without releasing any fibres. Specialist companies are normally on hand to deal with the removal and disposal of asbestos.
Fridge freezers
Some fridges and freezers contain an ozone depleting gas that can damage the environment and can be harmful to humans if ingested. All fridges must be disposed of correctly with a hazardous waste consignement note which ensures that all the gasses will be removed before the unit is eventualy broken down into parts and recylced.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPS)
Just recently a new change has been enforced by the Environment Agency which includes the disposal of soft furniture items such as sofas, armchairs, bean bags and cushions. These materials contian POPs which are poisonous chemical substances that break down slowly and get into food chains as a result. From the beginning of 2023 all this type of waste has to be incinerated rather than going into landfill.