Dont Hazard a Chance!

Picture a business working at full throttle. Colleagues answering phones, typing up reports, using the photocopier. What could be a happier, more industrious sight? Nothing sinister could possibly be afoot. For the time being, perhaps. Yet a few years down the line, those state of the art computers will be discarded, the batteries operating that phone will be chucked out. And thats where the trouble begins. It might have passed out of the companys thoughts but it still exists. Imagine the untold harm that all this scrap could be doing the environment. Its not just debris. It isnt even junk. Its dangerous. Hazardous waste. How do you know if your business is producing hazardous waste? Even more crucially, what can you do to prevent it?

Hazardous waste Put your hand up: when you picture hazardous waste, you imagine a fluorescent puddle of ooze, ghastly to see and smell, setting off klaxons wherever it goes. Blame a childhood watching Captain Planet! Its officially defined as waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. Since this is rather vague, its split into two categories, characteristic and listed wastes. Listed wastes are easier to spot: theyve already been condemned by the regulatory authorities, e.g. discarded chemical waste. How can you tell its a characteristic waste? There are four known ways: its flammable, reactive, corrosive or toxic. Bear in mind these arent exclusive- its possible for a substance to be all four. In which case, watch out! You might wonder, What does this have to do with me? Contrary to common belief, hazardous waste isnt the sole preserve of laboratories or factories. A hairdresser or photo processing company can produce hazardous waste. Its a very rare industry thats completely immune.

Common hazardous wastes Common hazardous wastes include (but are by no means restricted to):

Asbestos- Possibly the most notorious one. Although banned by the European Union, its near universal use means its lingering on, potentially harming all it comes into contact with. The side effects of asbestos have been well documented; it can cause lung diseases and cancers to develop long after the original exposure. Batteries- Consumers are beginning to wise up to this one. Composed of many toxic elements- lead, mercury and nickel amongst them- they can enter the environment and accumulate if theyre not correctly disposed of. Solvents- Although fantastic at dissolving grease and paint, their side effects are anything but laudatory. We all know that extreme sudden exposure to solvents can cause death; prolonged exposure can result in blindness and massive damage to your nervous system. They have also been linked to infertility in men, damage to developing foetuses, asthma and mental illness. Equipment containing ozone depleting substances- Far commoner than youd think! These are present in fridges, fire extinguishers, solvents (see above) and high voltage switch gear. Although theyre being phased out, theyre still abundant in older products.

What can I do? Discover through the Environment Agency whether your business can be said to produce hazardous waste. Their site offers a comprehensive system to determine this. Waste falls into three categories: always hazardous (e.g. asbestos, batteries), never hazardous (e.g. edible oil) and possibly hazardous (e.g. paint or ink). Once its been determined that you do indeed produce hazardous waste, you have a duty of care to protect the public and environment. Alternative means of disposal need to be found, whether you recycle the items or apply to a hazardous waste management company such as Red Industries. All hazardous waste needs to be meticulously documented. Once its been confirmed that you meet the criteria (i.e. that you produce or store more than 500kg of hazardous waste a year), you need to register with the Environment Agency. This legally allows your business to store the waste and have it transported from your premises. Remember that it needs to be renewed every 12 months! Storing the waste is a matter of utmost importance. It isnt just enough to keep it in sealed waterproof containers; it should be carefully labelled and kept in a designated area, with different types of hazardous waste kept separate. Its vital to carry out constant checks and assessments in order to ensure absolute security and safety.