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The latest revision of the Waste Framework Directive, Europe’s primary legislation for waste management placed great emphasis on the waste hierarchy to ensure that waste is dealt with in order of priority and updated some aspects of waste control.
Amendments to the Directive have already been implemented in England and Wales through the Waste Regulations 2011 announced in April 2011. The changes affect waste producers and waste management companies as well as local authorities.
In summary, these were the main changes implemented by the revised Waste Framework Directive:
• Require businesses to confirm that they have applied the waste management hierarchy when transferring waste and to include a declaration on their waste transfer note or consignment note;
• Require a new permit waste hierarchy permit condition and where appropriate a condition relating to mixing of hazardous waste;
• Introduce a two-tier system for waste carrier and broker registration, which includes those who carry their own waste, and introduces a new concept of a waste dealer;
• Make amendments to hazardous waste controls and definition;
• Exclude some categories of waste from waste controls, notably animal by-products whilst include a small number of radioactive waste materials.
What is the Waste Management Hierarchy?
The waste management hierarchy determines, in order of priority, the waste management options a business should consider. It requires businesses to first try and prevent waste production, in case of waste production consider preparing waste for reuse and subsequently identify recycling opportunities, before disposal options for recovery such energy recovery should also be considered.
From 28 September 2011, whenever you pass waste on to someone else, you will have to declare on the waste transfer note, or consignment note for hazardous waste, that you have applied the waste management hierarchy.
Government has produced short guidance on the waste hierarchy aimed at waste producers and small business and this can be found at wrapwht.
In short the order that waste should be dealt with is the following:
• Prevention;
• Preparing for re-use;
• Recycling;
• Other recovery (for example, energy recovery);
• Disposal
Further information can be found through the following links:
Quick guide for waste producers and businesses (April 2011) (PDF, 122KB)
Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
For a complete assessment of the waste produced by your company and how to comply with the waste management hierarchy get in touch with us now and we’ll provide you with cost effective waste management solutions in accordance with new Government regulations.
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