Apart from the more obvious substances that are classified as being hazardous, such as acids, alkalis and laboratory chemicals, there are many other hazardous waste streams, such as pharmaceutical waste (Out of Date and off-spec drugs), clinical waste (tissue and blood samples, used dressings, medical sharps etc.), and there is also a great deal of hazardous waste produced as a by-product in many manufacturing processes. These wastes can range from empty drums containing residues of resins, chemicals and solvents used in the processes, to used filters, by-products, off-spec or excess product, or contaminated Personal Protective Equipment, such as gloves and overalls.

Even companies who have never previously produced hazardous waste are finding that, since the Regulation changes on 16th July 2005, they now produce some hazardous waste just in their day-to-day activities. This is because one of the changes to the Regulations was to re-classify over 200 categories of previously non-hazardous waste as being hazardous. It is the waste producers’ responsibility to check whether they now produce hazardous waste as specified in the amendments to the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.

To make life easier for you, we have included some of the more common hazardous waste items below, but this is not an exhaustive list – please call or e-mail our offices for more information.

Examples of some common Hazardous Waste items:

Industrial – Fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps, spillages, aerosols, paint in original containers, original containers containing residues.

Automotive – Lead Acid Batteries, contaminated spills and rags, oil and fuel filters, aerosols, antifreeze and brake fluids, fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps, tyres.

Offices – Fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps, toner cartridges, laser cartridges, ink jet cartridges, scrap I.T. and other electrical or electronic equipment.

General - Fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps, toner cartridges, laser cartridges, ink jet cartridges, all types of batteries, contaminated rags, spillages, oil and fuel filters, aerosols, antifreeze and brake fluids.

As you can see, it is very likely that your company will produce some sort of hazardous waste that must be separated from your normal waste and have a separate hazardous waste collection. If you are unsure if you do have hazardous waste, or would simply like some more information or guidance, just call or our offices or complete an enquiry form.

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