What are hazardous wastes?
Hazardous wastes are those which are dangerous and difficult to handle. If your business produces hazardous waste you have a duty of care to make sure it is disposed of properly.
The purpose of the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 is to provide an effective system of control for these wastes and to make sure that they are soundly managed from their point of production to their final destination for disposal or recovery.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The regulations apply to those who produce, broker/deal, carry and receive hazardous waste to keep, treat or dispose of. This is explained in the guidance leaflet Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and how they affect you.
Definition and classification of hazardous waste
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has produced a detailed technical guidance document called ‘Technical Guidance WM3, Waste Classification - Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste’. The latest version of Technical Guidance WM3 (1st Edition, version 1.1.NI) was published in January 2021.
Waste Classification and Assessment - Technical Guidance WM3
Hazardous waste streams
Hazardous Waste streams include:
- asbestos waste
- fluorescent tubes
- clinical waste
- chemicals
- used oil filters
- brake fluid
- batteries (lead acid, Ni-Cd and mercury)
- some printer toner cartridges
- waste paint and thinners
- some catalytic converters / diesel particulate filters (from 1 Jan 2019)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are recognised as a threat to the environment due to their toxicity, persistence and tendency to build up in the bodies of animals.
Consignment Note System
A standard coding system has been introduced whereby a consignment note with a unique code must be used for a particular movement of hazardous waste. We dispense, control and administer these notes.
We have produced guidance documentation to help explain how to use consignment notes.
The Pre-notification may be carried out via e-mail (preferred method) or by fax (contact details can be found below).
Fees
Fees allow us to meet the cost of supervising hazardous waste movements. The fees vary depending on the type of movement involved, either £24, £10, or in certain cases the codes will be given out free of charge.
One of the features of the consignment note is the need in Part B to enter the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) code for the process giving rise to the waste.
Other regulation requirements
The regulations include restrictions on the mixing of wastes, revised requirements for record keeping, periodic inspections of waste producers' facilities by our staff and fixed penalty notices for certain offences.
For further information you can telephone us on 028 9056 9710. For Prenotification our Fax number is 028 9056 9310 and emails can be sent to hazwaste@daera-ni.gov.uk
Updates
NIEA Guidance on Management of Waste Domestic Heating Oil Tanks - from 1st January 2020
The misclassification of uncleaned waste domestic heating oil tanks as non-hazardous waste has resulted in unauthorised storage, transport, treatment, disposal and export of this waste. Following consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in NI, NIEA is taking steps to eliminate unsound practices.
From the 1st January 2020 all ‘uncleaned’ waste domestic heating oil tanks, i.e. contaminated with visible residues of kerosene, will be deemed to be hazardous waste. Such tanks may only be taken to a suitably authorised facility accompanied by a hazardous waste consignment note. Any site/facility carrying out a cleansing process must be authorised for this activity and the process requires NIEA approval.
NIEA’s guidance document on the management of this waste stream may be accessed at the following link.
For further assistance please contact the Hazardous Waste team.